The Nigerian Navy has released MT Praisel to continue with its journey.
The Navy and the Management of Tantita Security Service operated by ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, had traded words over the vessel.
While the security outfit claimed to have suspected foul play, the Navy gave the vessel a clean bill of health.
Tantita had noted that the vessel, intercepted by its personnel, ought to be sailing to Lagos and not Bonny, adding that the intelligence it gathered and the documents, including the naval clearance tendered by the master of the vessel, affirmed that Lagos was its destination.
Tanita had said, “It is our resolve that we will not allow a situation where the small fry is chased out of the illegal business only for the big fish to remain in business.
“A single 10-tonner vessel will do more damage to our economy in a single voyage than 1,000 dugout canoes carrying jerrycans. And while the illegality with the dugout canoe is a crime of need, the illegality with the 10-tonner vessel is a crime of greed. “
The Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, in a statement on Sunday, however, accused Tompolo’s men of high-handedness and unprofessional conduct.
The Navy said, “As of Saturday, August 5, 2023, the results of the laboratory analysis of the product onboard MT Praisel by all agencies, including NMDPRA, indicate that the product displayed properties consistent with Nigerian industrial standard specification for HPFO.
“This result, therefore, proves that the allegation and suspicion were totally wrong, unfounded, and perhaps mischievous.”
Giving an update on the matter in an interview with our correspondent on Monday, Ayo-Vaughan said the vessel was released at 7:20 am.
He said, “Affirmative. The Ship was released at 07:20 am today.”
