Following the interception of the super oil tanker, MT Heroic Idun, which fled Nigeria’s oil loading zone after refusing to explain its mission to Nigerian authorities, the Equatorial Guinean Navy has handed over the ship and its crew to the Nigerian Navy.
Recall that when the massive ship was accosted by the Nigerian Navy to ascertain what it was doing in Nigeria’s oil loading area without authorisation, the ship refused officers from checking and instead bolted while raising a false alarm of pirates attack to international maritime agencies.
The ship was, however, arrested by Equatorial Guinea Navy following the activation of the Joint Security Yaounde Achitecture.
A fact-sheet on the MT Heroic Idun Incident said, “After arresting the vessel, and investigating the circumstances of its entry into the country, Equatorial Guinea imposed a sizable fine on her for sailing through the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) without displaying the Equatorial Guinean flag.
The company managing the vessel has since confirmed payment of the fine.
“The Equatorial Guinea Government has now handed over the vessel to the Nigerian Navy, as confirmed by a November 6, tweet from the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea.
“The handover was carried out in Equatorial Guinea on November 6.
“It is now expected that the vessel will return to Nigeria for further investigations by the Nigerian government.”
On return to Nigeria, MT Heroic Idun could be charged for offences such as (1) Entering the restricted zone around an oilfield without authorisation, (2) Illegally attempting to load crude oil from Nigeria without appropriate documentation, which is tantamount to economic sabotage;
(3) Falsely accusing a Nigerian Navy ship of piracy on international maritime reporting platforms.
Whereas it had earlier communicated with the Naval ship, and there was no ambiguity about the identity of the NN Ship.
Expatiating on the implications of the false piracy claim made by MT Heroic Idun against Nigeria, the fact-sheet said, “This action of MT Heroic Idun is capable of denting the international image of Nigeria, and also making nonsense of the gains recorded by the country’s security agencies in the maritime sector.
“It is on record that Nigeria has not recorded a pirate attack in her maritime environment over the last one year, resulting in Nigeria being struck off the list of piracy prone countries by the International Maritime Bureau in March 2022.
“Therefore, this false claim can equally impact negatively on insurance premium fees for vessels coming into the country.
“This would ultimately affect prices of goods imported into the country and by extension the lives of ordinary Nigerians.”
The fact-sheet added: “Consequent upon the hand over to the Nigerian Navy, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on November 6 the MT Heroic Idun will now be brought back to Nigeria in order to clear any misconceptions about its involvement in crude oil theft.
“Everything necessary must therefore be done to successfully return MT Heroic Idun from Equatorial Guinea to Nigeria in order for the owners, Messrs. Idun Maritime to answer any charges brought against the vessel or otherwise clear her name.
“This would indeed send a strong message to any collaborators involved in crude oil theft in Nigeria, and the international community at large.
“If the vessel is found innocent, it will be released. If found guilty of breaking the laws of Nigeria, the appropriate sanctions will be enforced, to send a strong message of deterrence.
“It is important for the Nigerian government to sustain its anti-crude oil theft efforts/operations for the prosperity of Nigeria as well as national security objectives.
“Nigeria is aware of international media campaigns being planned and executed and sponsored by the vessel’s owners/agents, in a bid to muddy the waters and to make false claims of human rights violations against the Nigerian government.
“It is thus necessary to resist any pressure from internal or international collaborators in the matters of crude oil theft or any matters allied.
“The “government of the citizens of the sailors onboard the vessel – India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Poland – would do exactly the same.
“It is important to stress that Nigeria has followed due process in its handling of this entire incident, and will continue to abide by the principles of due process and fair and transparent investigations.” (Vanguard)
