The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has confirmed that the supertanker ‘Skipper,’ seized by U.S. authorities over alleged crude oil theft, was last sighted in Nigerian waters in July 2024.
In an official statement released Friday, NIMASA clarified that the vessel is not Nigerian-flagged and its purported owner, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited, is not registered with the agency. The statement detailed the vessel’s movements, tracked from Nigeria to regions including the Arabian Sea, Venezuela, and China before its interdiction in the Caribbean.
NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to collaborating with U.S. and Nigerian authorities in the ongoing investigation, stating that criminality will not be tolerated. Former NIMASA DG Temisan Omatseye and maritime associations have called for a thorough probe, with some experts welcoming international involvement in combating oil theft.
Disclaimer:
This report is based on an official statement from NIMASA and industry reactions. The investigations by U.S. and Nigerian authorities are ongoing, and the vessel owners have not issued a statement.
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