A United States–based shipping company, Nujenix Corporation, has accused the Nigerian Army of complicity in the alleged illegal seizure, concealment and dismantling of its vessel, the MT Thor motor tanker, in Delta State.
The company, owned by Israeli-American businessman Eial Golan Yachiel, made the allegation on Wednesday during a press conference in Abuja, where it also submitted a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, seeking urgent intervention over what it described as criminal acts, threats to life and obstruction of police investigation.
Speaking through its Nigerian lawyers, Peter Onucheyo and S.D. Omede, Nujenix Corporation alleged that soldiers of the Nigerian Army provided armed cover for the vessel after it was allegedly stolen by a Nigerian businessman, John George Igor, and hidden at a private jetty in Koko, Warri axis of Delta State.
According to the lawyers, Nujenix entered into a bareboat charter agreement on January 1, 2021, with Sub-Sea 9 Ocean Services Ltd, a company allegedly operated by Igor, for the use of the MT Thor, which is registered in the State of Florida, United States. Under the agreement, the charterer was required to pay $912,500 every six months.
However, the firm alleged that Igor defaulted after paying only $25,000 and subsequently disappeared with the vessel. The lawyers further claimed that Igor issued threats against the vessel’s owner, warning that he could be kidnapped or killed if he travelled to Nigeria, forcing him to remain outside the country.
After months of searching, Nujenix said its agents traced the vessel to Koko, Warri, where it was allegedly concealed at a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Link Ltd, a company linked to one of the suspects, Oluwagbemiga Ebenezer.
The company alleged that the vessel was subsequently cannibalised, with critical navigational, bunker and operational equipment stripped, rendering it no longer seaworthy.
“The vessel has been damaged beyond repair and is no longer fit for marine operations due to the criminal activities of the suspects,” Onucheyo said, adding that photographic evidence of the vessel’s condition before and after the alleged vandalism was attached to the petition submitted to the police.
According to the lawyers, officers of the Nigeria Police Force investigating the case traced the vessel to Koko and attempted to tow what remained of it to a safe location for preservation and further investigation. They alleged, however, that the operation was disrupted by the Nigerian Army.
“The police commenced towing the remaining carcass of the vessel, but they were intercepted by a Nigerian Army gunboat led by a Lieutenant Colonel Mustapha Garba, who allegedly hijacked the vessel from the custody of Marine Police officers on lawful duty,” Onucheyo claimed.
The lawyers further alleged that soldiers were subsequently deployed to guard the vessel at the Koko jetty, effectively preventing the police from carrying out their investigation. They said the army’s involvement was orchestrated by Ebenezer, who reportedly claims ownership of the jetty.
“This is no longer a mere contractual dispute. It has escalated to threats to life, intimidation, unlawful interference and obstruction of justice,” Onucheyo said.
Nujenix also alleged that army personnel later prevented the police from effecting arrests at the jetty, even after court processes had been initiated.
“When you see the vessel now, it has been butchered. It is no longer what was delivered in January 2021; it has been destroyed,” the lawyer added.
In its petition dated October 21, 2025, the company urged the Inspector-General of Police to urgently intervene to protect the life and property of its owner and ensure that justice is served.
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