A United States–based shipping company, NUJENIX Corporation, owned by an Israeli-American citizen, Eial Golan Yachiel, has queried the Nigerian Army over alleged complicity in the seizure of its vessel, the MT Thor motor tanker.

The U.S. firm accused Nigerian soldiers of colluding with a businessman, John George Igor, who allegedly unlawfully took over the vessel now docked at Koko, Warri in Delta, where it was hidden and allegedly being dismantled.

During a press conference on Wednesday, the firm, through its lawyers in Nigeria, Peter Onucheyo and S.D. Omede also accused Mr Igor, Leonard Kwentua, Okoye Okezie Jude, Oluwagbemiga Ebenezer, Ampliar Resources Ltd and Ebenco Global Link Ltd, of criminal conspiracy, stealing, vandalism and illegal conversion of the vessel.

“Soldiers of the Nigerian Army were deployed to guard the vessel at Koko, Warri, Delta State, where it has been hidden and is being dismantled,” Mr Onucheyo said, adding that “the Nigerian Army should not be seen involving itself in such matters”.

He further noted that the hidden vessel was found by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, who have been investigating the matter and have since located it in Koko.

“The police commenced towing of the remaining carcass of the vessel to a safe location, but were crossed by a Nigerian army gunboat led by one Lieutenant Colonel Mustsoha Garba, and hijacked the vessel from the custody of the escort of the Nigerian Marine police personnel being on lawful duty,” Mr Onucheyo noted.

He added that the alleged army’s action was engineered by one of the suspects, Mr Ebenezer, who claims to own the jetty where the vessel was moored.

Meanwhile, in a petition submitted to the inspector general of police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Wednesday, Mr Onucheyo said the vessel was handed over to Sub-Sea 9 Ocean Services Ltd, allegedly operated by Mr Igor, under a bareboat charter agreement dated January 1, 2021.

The petitioner noted that, under the agreement, Mr Igor was to pay $912,500 every six months, but defaulted.

“He failed to do so and only paid the sum of $25,000.00,” the petition stated.

The U.S.-based firm alleged that after taking possession of the vessel, Mr Igor disappeared and stopped answering telephone calls.

“He has threatened that our client will be kidnapped and killed or die mysteriously if he steps his foot on the shores of Nigeria,” the lawyers stated in the petition.

While briefing journalists on Wednesday, Mr Onucheyo alleged that soldiers backing one of the prime suspects, Mr Ebenezer, “were used to intimidate and unlawfully disrupt police investigation and took custody of the vessel and detained parties connected to the vessel”.

According to Mr Onucheyo, the matter has escalated beyond civil dispute. 

“This is not about business again. This is about threats, detention and force,” he said.

He alleged that after court processes were initiated, army personnel prevented police officers from making any arrests.

“The suspects went and hid the vessel at Koko, and they have been vandalising it. They butchered it,” the lawyer said. “When you see how it is now, it’s not as tacky as it used to be. It’s actually destroyed. Right now, the vessel is damaged beyond repair and is no more seaworthy due to the criminal activities of the suspects,” Mr Onucheyo said, noting that navigational and bunker equipment were allegedly stolen.

He added, “We humbly urge and request that the Inspector-General of Police use his good office to intervene and save the life and property of our client, so that justice will be served.”

The army spokeswoman, Appolonia Anele, did not immediately respond to a request for comments.