12 suspected oil ‘thieves’ arrested in Uyo

The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has arrested 12 suspects, seized 50 drums of illegal Automated Gas Oil (AGO or diesel) and 486 bags of smuggled rice from them.

The new Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Peter Yilme, who said the arrests were made within two days of his assumption of office, noted that the navy is determined to end smuggling on the waterways and warned smugglers to desist from the illegal activity.

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Source: thenationonlineng.net

Oil theft: Shell Nigeria deploys HD aerial cameras

Femi Asu

Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited has said it has deployed state-of-the-art high definition cameras for quick detection of and response to crude oil spills from its facilities.

The oil major said that the cameras would also help in tracking vandalism of the SPDC joint venture assets.

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Source: punchng.com

SIFAX Group Decries Attacks On Vessels At Lagos Port

By Jeremiah

Indigenous terminal operator, SIFAX Group has raised the alarm over incessant attacks on vessels at berth by sea-robbers and hoodlums. SIFAX Group is the operators of Ports and Cargo Terminal at the Tin Can Island port of Lagos.

Group executive vice-chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr Taiwo Afolabi disclosed this at the weekend during the 4th edition of Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime Conference (TAAM) with the theme, “Innovation and Practical Reforms Towards Sustainable Growth in the Maritime Sector” which held in Lagos.

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Source: leadership.ng

Gulf of Guinea maritime crime round up

Four robbers armed with a gun and knives boarded an anchored Marshall Islands-flagged product tanker at 0250 UTC in position 09:25N – 013:44.1W, around 5nm SSW of Conakry, Guinea. They took hostage the duty AB, tide his hands and forced him to lead them to the bridge. Once inside the bridge the robbers took hostage the duty officer and forced him to lead them to the Captain, Chief Engineer, third officer and bosun’s cabins. After looting the cabins, the robbers locked the crew in a cabin and escaped. Crew personal belongings, cash and ship’s properties stolen. SSAS activated; Duty Officer tried to contact local authorities via VHF but no response. Reported (IMB) 16 Sep. Via OCEANUSLive.org.

Eight persons in a speed boat, boarded a fishing vessel conducting fishing operations at 2200 UTC in position 04:10.26N – 008:55.33E, around 4.3nm SW of Idenao, Cameroon. The perpetrators kidnapped two crew members and escaped. Cameroon navy notified and investigations are ongoing. Reported (IMB) 13 Sep. Via OCEANUSLive.org

Nigeria: Losing war to vandals, oil thieves

With 45,347 breaks inflicted on Nigeria’s fuel pipelines in 18 years, thieves and vandals appear to be winning war against government and oil multinationals. Adeola Yusuf reports

For the umpteenth time, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) penultimate Wednesday announced collaboration with the Nigerian Navy to deepen war on crude oil theft. Describing theft and vamdalism as a menace, the two institutions declared a full-fledged war on crude oil theft and attacks on oil and gas facilities.

The duo came to the resolution when the NNPC GMD, Mallam Mele Kyari paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas at the Naval Headquarters.

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Source: newtelegraphng.com

Private armed guards not allowed onboard vessels in Nigeria –Navy

Maritime Security News: Not entirely sure why they feel the need to restate this policy.

The Nigerian Navy has disclosed that private armed guards are still not permitted on merchant vessels in Nigeria. Rear Admiral, Begroy Enyinna Ibe-Enwo, representing the Chief of Naval Staff, confirmed this last week at the West Africa Shipping Summit in London, as part of highlight of events at the London International Shipping Week.

At the event, both NIMASA and the Navy acknowledged the challenges in securing the Nigerian maritime domain and affirmed the collaboration between both organisations to stem the incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea.

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Source: sunnewsonline.com

Combating Emerging Security Threats in the Maritime Domain

Aside the traditional crimes that have bedeviled the maritime domain for decades, Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that emerging security threats like attacks on shipping, sabotage of hydrocarbon infrastructure and maritime resource theft, as well as other transnational organised crimes, are some of the challenges being tackled by the Nigerian Navy in its quest to secure the nation’s and the Gulf of Guinea waters

World over, security threats keep evolving from traditional to conventional warfare. In the maritime domain, same rings true. In the past, the maritime domain was threatened by piracy, sea robbery, illicit trafficking, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF) and marine pollution. Now, emerging security threats within the Nigerian maritime domain stem largely from non-military causes such as socio-economic agitations and unemployed youths within the coastal communities, which are manifested through attacks on shipping, sabotage of hydrocarbon infrastructure and maritime resource theft.

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Source: thisdaylive.com

Nigeria’s Greasy, Sleazy, Billion-Dollar Oil Theft Industry

By Michael Eboh

In January 2019, security operatives conducting surveillance on oil installations in Lagos State, nabbed Mr. Shuaibu Ogunmola, an alleged kingpin of oil pipeline vandalism in Lagos State, who it claimed was responsible for loss of millions of litres of petroleum products daily.

He had operated a thriving oil theft racket for decades, hacking pipelines in some island communities in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, along the strategic System 2B pipeline network Right-of-Way. His activities had through the years, led to loss of millions of litres of products along the Lagos Atlas Cove strip.

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Source: allafrica.com

57 suspected oil thieves arrested in Nigeria

Nigerian navy troops operating in the oil rich Niger Delta region arrested 57 suspected oil thieves in its anti-oil theft operations, an officer said Friday.

They were nabbed for allegedly smuggling crude oil and illegally refining diesel, Adegoke Ebo, head of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, said in the southern city of Onne in Rivers state, while handing over the suspects and items to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday.

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Source: newsghana.com.gh

Criminals to forfeit ships, illegal proceeds to govt

By BAYO AKOMOLAFE

Efforts by government to tackle illegal bunkering, kidnapping, illegal fishing and smuggling on Nigerian waters have assumed a new dimension as past attempts failed to yield any meaningful result due to lack of effective law.

In the past, Nigeria had participated actively in a multi-national maritime exercise sponsored by the United States Military Africa Command (AFRICOM). Recently, it also participated in the 2019 Exercise Obangame Express attended by 33 countries from West Africa, Europe and North America.

The country had also acquired patrol boats and trained personnel with huge funds but these feats have not deterred criminals on Nigerian waters.

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Source: newtelegraphng.com