Navy Releases Two Ships to Owners

The Nigerian Navy handed over two ships arrested for oil bunkering in 2003 on the order of the presidency following a court ruling, according to a report on AllAfrica.com.

But the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command , Commodore John Kpokpogri who handed over the ships - Mt Tina and Mt Glory on behalf of the Chief of Naval staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye gave the owners 24 hours to remove the ships from the territorial waters or face the full weight of the law.

Kpokpogri made it clear to the ship owners, Petrostar Shipping Company that the Navy, in fulfilling its statutory function, would still arrest the ships if found to be engaging in unwholesome activities.

The two ships which were arrested on April 23, 2003 by a Naval Warship, NNS Kyanwa while on patrol duties on the high sea, were believed to be used for illegal bunkering activities.

However, subsequent laboratory analysis by various government agencies, including the Department of Petroleum Resources, which analyses the contents of the ships later proved that they were carrying Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) otherwise known as black oil, used principally in the textile industry.