A recent incident involving a tanker seized by security operatives from Tantita has been clarified through laboratory analysis. The seized vessel, which was alleged to be carrying crude oil, was instead found to be transporting High Pour Fuel Oil (HPFO), as revealed by tests conducted by Trust Inspection Services Limited.
The tanker, identified by its International Maritime Organisation (IMO) number 5104033, encountered an interception during its voyage. The test report, reviewed by a correspondent, confirmed that the vessel had legitimate approval to load 629,000 liters of HPFO from Aradel Refineries Ltd in Rivers State. By November 10, it had loaded 445,814 liters and was en route to Bonny from the Naval Shipyard Limited.
While navigating near Owogono community along the Onne waterways, the tanker, MT Lady Martina, was intercepted by armed individuals in black attire, brandishing weapons, cutlasses, and charms. The assailants, aboard two speedboats, forced the vessel’s captain to change course towards Okrika, specifically at Latitude 4°44.329’N and Longitude 7°04.556’E.
Suspecting the vessel was in distress, the Nigerian Navy dispatched two gunboats to investigate. Upon arrival, the Navy encountered seven armed individuals who identified themselves as three Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and four Tantita staff members.
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It was highlighted by an anonymous source that the vessel had undergone a quality analysis test at Trust Inspection Services Limited before loading, as required by naval clearance protocols. “What they did not know was that a quality analysis test was conducted on the product at Trust Inspection Services Limited before commencement of loading, as stipulated in the naval clearance. So, the vessel was cleared because it was carrying what it was supposed to carry,” the source revealed.
The Navy interrogated the vessel’s captain and surveyor. During questioning, the leader of the NSCDC team claimed they were instructed to seize the vessel but acknowledged that he was not under the Rivers State Command, stating he was deployed directly to work with Tantita.
The Tantita Coordinator, referred to as “Delta Force,” later arrived and alleged that the vessel was carrying illegally sourced crude oil, claiming it had loaded from a creek without security escort. However, additional tests, including samples taken at the scene by Trust Inspection Services, confirmed the cargo was HPFO, corroborating the initial analysis.
To ensure the vessel’s operations continued unhindered, the Nigerian Navy dispatched five gunboats to Okrika to secure its release. Upon arrival, the Navy team boarded the vessel and facilitated the peaceful disembarkation of the NSCDC and Tantita personnel. The MT Lady Martina was subsequently escorted to Bonny by a Navy patrol team.
