Crude oil theft: JTF clears, releases vessel for operation in Delta

<p>The Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) has ordered the immediate release of a vessel, registered under the name of MT Praisel, saying the vessel was operating in line with extant approvals at the time it was arrested by Tantita Security Services Ltd somewhere in Delta State.</p>, <p>The Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Rear Adm. Olusegun Ferreira, stated this on Sunday, during a press briefing, insisting that the vessel met all the standards it requires to operate.</p>, <p>According to him, “it would be recalled that MT Praisel was granted approval by the Nigerian Mid-Stream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to load 1,114,721L of High Pour Fuel Oil (HPFO) from Greenmac Energy Storage at Tarus Jetty Koko from 26 July -8 Aug. 2023.</p>, <p>“This approval was subsequently amplified by the Nigerian Navy for compliance. Accordingly, in line with extant procedures, Nigerian Navy personnel were deployed on board MT Praisel to monitor the vessel’s loading and discharge to ensure strict compliance with the approval by NMDPRA and the Nigerian Navy.</p>, <p>“However, on Aug. 2, 2023, Tantita Security Services Ltd, (reportedly acting on intelligence), suspected the vessel to be laden with crude oil and approached an element of Operation Delta Safe to accompany their operatives to board the vessel to confirm the product on board.</p>, <p>“It is pertinent to note that Tantita and other pipeline surveillance companies do not embark on independent operations. Operations are conducted in conjunction with OPDS units and troops based on intelligence provided by sources.</p>, <p>“Subsequently, the vessel was taken to Escravos Anchorage in the early hours of August 3, 2023, for verification of the product on board and other investigations due to the weighty suspicion and zero tolerance for Crude Oil Theft (COT) by the Armed Forces of Nigeria.</p>, <p>“It was also necessary to display transparency and synergy in any investigation bordering on COT. Accordingly, it is nec