MV Madina was hijacked while the vessel was in the process of lifting crude oil from oil field
The Ghanaian authorities have arrested an oil tanker- MV Madina allegedly conveying stolen crude oil from Nigeria, the Ghana Navy has said.
MV Madina was detained on Thursday at the Salt Pond Offshore Producing Company Limited (SPOCL), as it attempted to discharge hijacked crude oil from Nigeria into another vessel at the SPOCL. The Director of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces, Colonel M’Bawine Atintande told journalists that guards have been deplored to secure the vessels at the oil fields.
The force image maker disclosed that the arrested ship would be entrusted to the ports authorities and the perpetrators shall face the wrath of the law.
MV Madina was hijacked while the vessel was in the process of lifting crude oil from a marginal oil producing field in Nigeria into a larger vessel, MV North Wind Grace. The captain and his crew absconded with the vessel.
Consequently, the owners of the vessel alerted the Benin and Ghana security and subsequently traced the ship to Ghana.
The Chief Executive Officer of Salt Pond Offshore Producing Company limited (SPOCL), Mr. Quincy Sintim Aboagye confirmed the incidence.
According to him, he received information about the hijacked crude from the owners of MV Madina and promptly swung into action in order to foil the escape of the ship and the crew on board.
Source: Daily Trust
