🇺🇸⚓ Global Security Operation Raises Tough Questions for Nigeria’s Maritime Space
The United States Coast Guard, in a coordinated mission with the U.S. Navy, has seized a Nigerian-owned supertanker Skipper over serious allegations ranging from crude oil th£ft to p+racy and transnational organised crime.
According to U.S. officials, the 20-year-old VLCC—bearing IMO Number 930** and reportedly owned by Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd. in Nigeria—was intercepted under American law enforcement authority. President Donald Trump publicly confirmed the seizure on December 10, 2025, describing it as a significant victory against global criminal networks.
🔍 Illegal Flagging & Suspicious Cargo
The tanker was allegedly flying the Guyanese flag illegally at the time of interception.
Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) later clarified that Skipper is not registered in Guyana, confirming unauthorized use of its national flag.
Beyond suspicion of stolen crude, investigators are digging into leads suggesting that the vessel may have been used to transport hard dr¥gs and operated within a wider criminal network allegedly tied to Iranian and Islamist-backed money-laundering groups.
🛑 Corporate Trail Raises More Red Flags
A search through Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) shows that Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd., the company believed to own and manage the tanker, is currently listed as inactive—adding another layer of controversy to the case.
⚠️ What This Means for Nigeria
This development underscores the increasing scrutiny on Nigeria’s maritime sector and the persistent challenges of oil theft, illegal bunkering, and international criminal collaborations.
Authorities in Nigeria and the global maritime community are expected to respond as investigations deepen.
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