Oil theft in Nigeria: 14 OFWs claim innocence

WARRI, Nigeria - Fourteen Filipino nationals detained in Nigeria on suspicion of stealing thousands of tons of crude oil from a vandalized pipeline have declared their innocence while they were paraded before journalists in the West African nation.

Crew members say they were hijacked by militants off the coast of the oil-producing river Niger delta region and held below deck for five hours before being apprehended by Nigerian naval gunboats.

The crew of the MT Lina Panama was shown to journalists at a regional military headquarters in Warri on Thursday.

Filipino Capt. Rey Chavez says he cannot account for the 150,000 tons of crude oil found on his vessel.

Analysts say some 10 percent of Nigeria's daily 2.5 million barrel oil production capacity is lost to theft. - AP

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