Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Federal Government may soon begin investigating the MT PRAISEL, a multi-million naira oil-laden vessel intercepted by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. The vessel, which received approval from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and clearance from the Nigeria Navy, was diverted off Escravos before its arrest. Tantita Security, a leading campaign against oil theft, insisted that the intercepted vessel was on illegal operations and changed its approved destination when operatives anchored it off the Escravos River. The private security firm claimed that the vessel was on illegal operations and that the arrest took place in the presence of the Tantita inspection crew. The company claimed that the vessel was sailing to Bonny, but the Master of the vessel indicated Koko as its port of discharge for storage only. Tantita Security had to escalate the issue to higher authorities, which mandated the vessel be anchored off the Escravos River for further investigation. The company was shocked when the Naval Headquarters' press statement appeared to indicate that the NMDPRA gave approval to the MT PRAISEL to proceed to Bonny for crude discharge the following day.