Oil Theft: Navy takes war to criminals’ domain – Ogalla

<p>• Says Alleged Involvement Of Personnel In Oil Bunkering Unfounded • Clears Air On Arrest Of MT Praisel, Warns Against Obstructing International Trade</p>, <p>The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has said the Navy is poised on taking the war against oil theft, and economic sabotage in the maritime sector to the criminals.</p>, <p>Ogalla spoke, yesterday, while on a familiarisation tour to Naval facilities in Rivers State.</p>, <p>He said the Navy would improve its surveillance capabilities and also beam its searchlight more on the creeks and riverine areas, where illegal oil bunkering activities take place more.</p>, <p>He emphasised that the move would enable the Navy to strike the criminals even before they go into the act.</p>, <p>Ogalla said: “We are going to improve our surveillance capabilities. We want to strike the criminals even before they go into the act. We want to arrest them while they are planning and thinking about it. We do not want to be on the defensive. We want to take the war to the criminals and get them even before they start the act.”</p>, <p>While reacting to the allegations of involvement of personnel in oil theft, the CNS noted that such claims were unfounded, adding that several investigations carried out showed that most of the allegations were not true.</p>, <p>Meanwhile, the Naval Headquarters has debunked the arrest of MT Praisel, saying: “The attention of the Naval Headquarters has been drawn to publications and news reports in the media on the arrest of Motor Tanker (MT) Praisel by a private security outfit, Tantita Security Service Limited (TSSL) for suspected illegal oil bunkering.</p>, <p>“The publication further alleged that the vessel was escorted by a Nigerian Navy (NN) boat and it averred that TSSL’s operation had the backing of the National Security Adviser and Chief of the Naval Staff.</p>, <p>“To put the record straight and avoid the misrepresentation of facts to unsuspecting members of the public as portrayed, MT Praisel was duly approved by