Oil theft: Former Presidential Candidate Calls for External Investigation in Oil Vessel Interception

A recent report by the Sun papers highlights a call for an external investigation into the interception of the MT Praisel, a vessel carrying crude oil suspected of being stolen in the Koko area of Delta State.

Former presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu has raised concerns about the Nigerian Navy’s involvement in the investigation, stating that Nigerians won’t accept any report coming directly from the Navy.

The vessel was reportedly flying a Togolese flag and was escorted by a navy boat led by a senior naval commander. However, Tanita Security Services, which intercepted the vessel, has raised red flags and questioned the Navy’s involvement in the investigation process.

Kachikwu insists that an independent panel should be set up by the National Security Adviser or the President to investigate the matter thoroughly. He points out discrepancies in documents, conflicting information from the Navy and the Master of the vessel, and the refusal to allow independent testing of the product, raising suspicions of a cover-up.

The former presidential candidate urges regulatory agencies to take ownership of the process and not allow the Navy to handle the situation alone. He emphasises that if the Navy proceeds with moving the vessel without a joint inspection involving all relevant agencies, the fight against crude oil theft in the country would suffer a major setback.

Source: Sun papers

what are your thoughts on this?

Oj_Gist (
)