Operatives of Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSNL) owned by former freedom fighter, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, in collaboration with security personnel, have arrested another vessel for crude oil theft in Bayelsa State.
The vessel MT Harbour Spirit, with IMO No. 8226272, is anchored at the Tantita facility in Oporoza.
Details shortly…
Private firm, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), has vowed to do more in the fight against oil theft, as it bagged the best private security outfit in Nigeria at the New Telegraph Newspaper Awards 2024
The ceremony was held Friday, in Lagos.
The indigenous firm is owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, a former Niger Delta freedom fighter.
Receiving the award, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, media consultant to TSSNL, while disclosing that Tantita is targeting a two million barrel per day output for the country, stated that the award would spur the company to work harder.
He expressed gratitude to the newspaper medium for recognizing their efforts, recalling that the company, on getting contracted for the surveillance of Nigeria’s critical assets, “hit the ground immediately and results were seen.”
“From August 2022, Tantita Security Company has made so many revolutions in our oil sector that hitherto were not known. Particularly, tapping of major pipelines by miscreants in our country and siphoning petroleum products from those pipelines. So Tantita went after them and exposed them.
“In the first quarter of our job, we discovered over 400 tap points of major pipelines in Nigeria, so the award is well received, and we’re proud to be recognised as the best security company of the year.
“Reward for hard work is more work, so Tantita has promised to do more this year. Our goal is to make sure that Nigeria produces two million barrels of crude oil per day in the country.
“Certainly, Tantita is providing a support job, so it’s our call to our governors in the Niger Delta region, major oil industry players and the military to put more synergy with Tantita Security company to achieve the goal that is set out to be achieved,” he said.
The Editor of New Telegraph newspaper, Mrs. Juliet Bumah, while presenting the award, revealed that Tantita was picked out of four nominated security companies.
“Before our board and panel of judges decided that we will give the award to Tantita, we looked at what the security company is doing in the Niger Delta. We know the problem, we heard about them, oil theft and everything.
“It was not just Tantita Security Services that we picked, we had like four nominations for security company of the year. But after looking at what Tantita Security Services has been doing, our board of editors and panel of judges decided that Tantita merited the award
“Awarding Tantita as the security company of the year means that it came first for us among other security companies in Nigeria,” she stated.
On his part, former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who averred that Tantita has been “adding value” described the award as “a public acknowledgement of the things they’re doing. We celebrate them and encourage them to do more.
“We’re at a challenging period in the life of our nation, challenged at all fronts, challenges in the area of insecurity, the economy and even social cognition. And so, we need all hands on deck, we need everybody to think outside the box and bring whatever value they can bring to the table. In that way, we will prosper as a nation, we will be stronger and will be more united.”
David Adeboye, the Captain of MT KALI, the ocean-going vessel apprehended by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Bayelsa State, expressed disbelief at the manner crude oil was siphoned into the ship during the arrest last Thursday, January 12.
At the vessel’s parade, held at Oporoza in Warri Southwest council area of Delta State on Sunday, he confirmed that 119 tonnes of stolen crude oil were loaded into the ship when the joint team of operatives raided the crime scene.
He claimed that they were directed by one Captain Niyi to lift Automated Gas Oil (AGO) otherwise known as (Diesel), not crude oil.
Adeboye said he was instructed to test run the vessel which had been anchored for over a year and had some maintenance carried out on her before the sail to Bayelsa State.
He said: “When we set out from Lagos State, the boat has been in Lagos for more than a year. They were doing some maintenance on it. So when we came out, we were instructed to test run the engine for like 10 miles. After 10 miles and we are satisfied that she can go as far as Bayelsa, then we should let them know”.
Adeboye stated that after successfully test-running the ship, he and the crew were directed to sail to Bayelsa State and return to Lagos State with AGO (Diesel), adding “That was the instruction given to us”.
However, on anchoring the vessel in Bayelsa State, contrary to the original plan of taking delivery of AGO, as also confirmed by the local agent he spoke with, crude oil was delivered instead.
He did not name the owners or agents of the vessel or the address of the contractors but insisted that it is only the management that could confirm why the supposed AGO turned out to be crude oil.
“So at which point it now turned to crude that is what I am still battling with up till now. Currently, we have 119 tonnes of crude oil on board the vessel. The agent brought his boys and at the end of the day filled the vessel with crude”, the captain said.
Speaking on the development, TSSNL Director of Operations and Technical, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, said the vessel, a crew of 12 members and some local accomplices were intercepted at about 12:25 am Thursday, stealing crude oil from one of the several platforms at Pennington Oil Field, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State.
He stated that both human and technical intelligence were deployed to track the vessel over time, before her eventual impoundment.
He further disclosed that the vessel had been involved in illegal oil thefts in the past.
Enisuoh opined that those campaigning against the involvement of private security companies in pipeline surveillance were bunkerers whose illegal activities were disrupted by their engagement and operations.
“We want to seize this opportunity to let Nigerians know that those who campaign against the private security companies participating in this fight are bunkerers.
“They can continue but we will not relent, we will not resist our efforts towards fighting this. We will continue to be resilient and we will assist the country in resolving this. We will assist also the Nigerian security forces, which are happy to participate in securing our assets to do this job”, he assured.
Operatives of the Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) have uncovered a coastal location in Ondo state, where oil thieves were allegedly siphoning crude oil under the cover of men of the Nigerian Navy (NN).
It was gathered that the personnel of TSSL, who acted on a tip-off stormed the location of the illicit oil deal, where the illegal oil operators under the protection of the armed naval personnel were stealing crude oil from a well-head, operated by a yet-to-be-identified oil major.
The Tantita operatives were said to have been barred from the scene by some naval personnel, who engaged in sporadic shooting to ward off the inquisitive officials of the private security company engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to tackle the menace of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
It was also alleged that the naval personnel also tamed men of the Nigerian Army (NA) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who were later called in as reinforcement by Tantita.
The combined team of Tantita personnel and men of the NA and NSCDC were restricted 700 metres away from the scene of the illegal operations by the naval men.
As the naval personnel on the illegal collaborative assignment launched gun attacks, ostensibly to cover their tracks, Tantita officials, soldiers and men of NSCDC maintained reasonable distance, apparently to avoid casualty.
Impeccable findings showed that the action of the naval personnel was aimed at concealing the identity of the vessel and ensuring it sailed with the stolen crude out of the nation’s territorial water.
The investigation further revealed that as the face-off persisted, information about the incident filtered into the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who was said to be livid over the relentless and unrepentant connivance of the men of the Navy with oil thieves, reportedly contacted the service chiefs, including the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, warning that the vessel must not be allowed to escape.
Ribadu also placed the NNPCL’s Chief Operating Officer, Mele Kyari and the Presidency on red alert.
The Navy, in a volte-face, feigned the involvement of its personnel in the unpatriotic act.
Reliable sources said Ogalla subsequently directed his subordinates to apprehend the vessel in response to pressures from different quarters, including the Presidency.
As parts of the drama by the Navy cleared itself, it was gathered that the crew members of the vessels would be paraded in due course without the naval collaborators.
Reliable sources provided video clips from the scene at the coast of Ondo State, to authenticate the report.
Even after the purported arrest, it was further gathered that the Naval personnel refused a request by the officials of NNPCL that the vessel be moved to the NNPCL’s jetty at Oporoza for a joint inspection.
Oporoza jetty is a recognised destination for previous illegal oil equipment and vessels seized by Tantita and other security agencies from illegal oil operators.
Observers are concerned that the Navy was planning to take credit for the arrest of the vessel, which it was originally aiding to steal crude oil.
The concern was further accentuated by the tendency to exonerate its officials, who provided cover and escorted the vessel.
Also citing precedence, observers are also worried that the vessel might either disappear without trace or its content emptied by unscrupulous naval personnel.
 | ReplyForward |
Operatives of Tantita Security Services Limited, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) have arrested a massive vessel in the coastal waters of Ondo State.
Sources said the suspected vessel was sighted off the coast of Ondo State while loading crude from a well head. Investigations revealed that a combined team of soldiers, men of the NSCDC and Tantita operatives accosted the vessel which had naval personnel on board.
It was gathered that the Naval personnel refused a request by the NNPC that the vessel be moved to the NNPC jetty at Oporoza for a joint inspection.
However, a source said naval operatives on the vessel resisted the request, and insisted that the Navy arrested the vessel and was escorting it to one of its bases. The source said the Naval operatives have been shooting all day thereby causing yet another stand between Tantita, Army and the Navy.
The source added that the Tantita operatives who are enforcing a pipeline protection contract with the NNPC and the Federal Government, became worried when the Navy insisted that the vessel should not be taken for joint inspection.
Video evidence provided showed that the Naval operatives fired barrage of repeated shots to ward off the Tantita operatives and soldiers from accessing the vessel.
There was mounting anxiety as at last night that the vessel might disappear without trace in the dead of night.
But the Navy accused Tantita Security Service (TSS) of aiding oil bunkering in Ondo State. It said despite the false alarm by the private security outfit, it could not absolve itself from the illegalities that happened around the Awoye riverine area of Ondo State which falls within its area of coverage.
A statement by the Naval spokesperson, Commodore Ayo-Vaughan, said it was after the vessel was arrested by its troops that TSS began to raise false alarm, which ‘is totally unfounded and indeed mischievous’.
The statement read: “Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, (FOB) Igbokoda, Ondo State, about 3am on December 7, arrested a 77-meter-long Motor Tanker (MT) VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS, 7 nautical miles off the coast of Awoye riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
“The vessel had 17 crew members onboard at the time of arrest, and was caught engaging in illegal siphoning of crude oil from one of the well heads at EBESAN oil field.
“Notably, as the anti-Crude Oil Theft Patrol Team of FOB IGBOKODA approached MT VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS, the 2 x boats attached to the vessel fled on sighting the naval personnel which confirmed the engagement of the vessel in illegality.
“On arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the vessel was actively involved in siphoning crude oil from both sides of the well head. Upon further search and interrogation, it was further discovered that the vessel had 17 Nigerian crew members onboard. Its storage capacity is about 15,000 metric tonnes and, as at the time of arrest, she had loaded about 500 Metric tonnes of crude oil.”
Tantita Security Services has acquired new machinery for the fight against oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
The gadgetry which includes Sharp Mouth brand of speed boats (200 Horses Power) and other apparatuses have since been deployed to the various Niger Delta States to fortify the pipelines’ security architecture in each state, including Ondo State, Southwest, Nigeria.
The Commandant of Ondo State Chapter of Tantita Security Services, Senior High Chief Idowu Asonja, while interacting with journalists who, on Sunday, visited him at Igbokoda, Ilaje local government, on facility visit, confirmed the delivery of four new speed boats with the company’s name visibly crested on them and other security equipment.
The lauded his boss and former Nigerian militant commander, Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known to by his sobriquet Tompolo, for what he described as ‘more energies’ for Tantita.
Asonja said: “As you can all see, Tantita is justifying the confidence reposed in it by Nigerians and the government. We are happy to receive new speed boats and other gadgets here in Ondo State and I am sure that the feeling will be the same elsewhere. With the new delivery, the work on monitoring, particularly in the high seas will be well enhanced. Tompolo is doing the job. Tantita is achieving results.”
Established in the heart of the Niger Delta, Tantita Security Services commits itself to safeguarding critical assets, while specialising in providing comprehensive security solutions tailored to the unique needs of the Oil and Gas Sector, securing the pipelines against vandalism, oil theft and related challenges.
Tantita has recorded towering leaps; it has unearthed several illegal pipelines in the country and repeatedly captured vessels barring barrels of stolen crude oil. It has clinically exposed hundreds of delibrate oil leakages on major pipelines. It has unwrapped, through diligent surveillance, major fraudulent pipelines linked to deep seas as operated by oil thieves for ages.
Phase 1 ex-militant leader, ‘General’ Joseph Figbele, has said renewal of the pipelines surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) by the Federal Government will strengthen the firm’s resolve to stop oil thieves in Niger Delta.
In a statement yesterday in Delta State, Figbele, who leads the Coalition of Urhobo Ex-Militant Leaders, congratulated TSSNL owner, Government Ekpemukpolo a.k.a Tompolo, on renewal of the contract.
He said Tantita has succeeded in execution of the contract, noting the Federal Government and well intentioned Nigerians appreciate the firm’s efforts to stamp out oil theft.
The coalition, in its statement co-signed by Figbele, and its secretary, Abraham Ekokotu, hailed President Bola Tinubu for approving the renewal and awarding some sections to other interests.
The duo said TSSNL has proved to be deserving of the contract, adding it has taken the capacity of the nation’s oil production to a height not envisaged owing to activities of oil thieves in Niger Delta.
The industry, they noted, is in a new era where vandalism, theft and adulteration of petroleum products are no more attractive to criminals who now see the illicit venture as suicidal owing to what they described as the efficiency of TSSNL at securing “our national wealth.”
Figbele’s group praised Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, who took a ‘weird initiative’ to promote national interest and secure the wealth of the nation. It said prosperity shall be kind to Kyari for his patriotism.
The coalition urged the Federal Government to award the Urhobo axis of the pipelines security to its group, saying “we have been in the forefront of peace and security in the region.
One of our pseudo groups, Anti Oil Theft Enlightement Initiative (AOTEI) had been on the drive to sanitise the industry, and ‘’this underscores our resolve to strengthen the fight against oil theft and raise the nation’s production quota’’.
“Awarding us Urhobo oil facility to protect will add value to this administration because every Urhobo son and daughter will be carried along. Our coalition covers the interest of all, and not a single person should lay claim to representing Urhobo nation.
“As a Phase 1 ex-militant leader, no other Urhobo man comes before us in the protection of the interest of Urhobo youths and ex-militants. We will ensure that. If awarded the Urhobo section of the surveillance contract, we shall work with TSSNL.
‘’Our priority is not on how many cars are in our fleet but to ensure that the right persons are carried along to boost the work of TSSNL.
‘’We are a coalition of ex-militants with integrity and good conscience available to represent their people.
‘’We shall not engage in blackmail against any leader or group of persons to drive home our demand for the contract of securing our national assets,” the former war lord said, adding the coalition is not oblivious of a ‘gang leader’ who parades himself as leader of Urhobo ex-militants.
He called on Kyari to ensure the right group is considered. “Anyone can parade himself as anything, but the authority should know the right persons to trust in the award of such sensitive contract.”
‘’We are peopled by men, women of honour and integrity and this we shall not trade off to sustain our patriotism, integrity and honour but we demand consideration for the contract to be awarded our coalition on behalf of Urhobo youths and persons,” the statement said.
It called on the people of Niger Delta to rise and support the administration to achieve its goals of birthing a Nigeria where every segment is considered devoid of nepotism, tribalism and corruption.
“An equitable Nigeria is what this administration is driving at on the plank of which we request the President to award us this contract to add our quota to national growth and development.”
A Delta-based activist and Chartered Accountant, Dr. Martins Otuedon, says Tantita Security Service Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), has “proven competence” in securing the nation’s oil and gas assets.
Otuedon, in a statement described the private firm’s engagement by the Federal Government last year as a win-win for all, urging President Bola Tinubu to approve renewal of the pipelines surveillance contract.
According to him, “over the last one year of the operations of a local security company, Tantita Security Services Company Limited in securing the fortunes of the nation’s oil pipelines, especially across the Niger Delta region, there has been a major breakthrough in tracking and identifying illegal points of crude oil theft.
“The engagement of the company by the federal government in the last two years to complement the effort of the nation’s security agencies has remained a win-win that has translated into improved daily oil production.
“In fact, news of these unprecedented discoveries has reinforced the belief that the nation is gaining back her production capacity and attracting new investments in the downstream operations.
“Simply put, Nigeria is getting more revenue to accelerate needed development and growth in critical sectors of the economy.
Tantita Security Services has been congratulated by all stakeholders in the industry and beyond on the feats recorded with courageous patriotism and unfettered determination.
“The question then remains, why abandon a working system, more so when it is in collaboration with the armed forces?”
The Chartered Accountant reeled out the gains of Tantita’s surveillance contract job to include “peaceful coexistence, engagement of the youth in productive ventures other than crime; protection of the vegetation from oil spills, transfer of technology within the oil- producing areas and importantly, the local people who have been fully engaged in protecting their communities from the harmful effects of illegal oil refinery.”
Expressing optimism that President Tinubu, in furtherance with his Renewed Hope agenda, would “within the shortest possible time,” renew the contract to ensure continuity of the gains, Otuedon added, “with the refineries coming on line, the local production of crude oil needs to be increased and secured.
“Tantita Security Services has undoubtedly proven their competence in delivering under the most difficult terrains.”
EX-militant leader, Israel Eshanekpe, has said efforts to stop National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) from renewing the pipeline surveillance contract of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) will fail.
An Arewa Youth Congress (AYC) group had called on the Federal Government to tarry in renewal of the contract.
Eshanekpe aka Akpodoro regretted Arewa youths left frantic North’s issues to dabble into concerns that has no direct bearing to them, alleging they are recruits of crude rustlers, economic saboteurs, racketeers and profiteers in the oil industry.
Akpodoro, also mayor of Urhoboland in Delta State, said whereas their domain is a huge industry for insurgents, the group finds it rewarding to dwell on issues in the South, while insurgents openly desecrate their land unchallenged.
He called on leaders of the “so called AYC to rally against killers and kidnappers in the North and leave Niger Delta to those directly concerned.”
The ex-militant leader noted criminal elements in Niger Delta are subdued by the unrelentless war TSSNL is waging war on them, and naturally, those in collusion would expectedly want the deathly blows stopped.
Akpodoro advised the Mele Kyari-led NNPCL to hasten renewal of the contract to continue the gains recorded by the Government Ekpemukpolo (Tompolo)-led TSSNL.
On shore and offshore, Akpodoro noted oil thieves have no hiding place. The waterways are locked down against them, saying until the last oil thief is apprehended, TSSNL will not rest.
He stressed no campaign of calumny can make Nigeria relapse into the era of crude thievery, saying other faceless groups gearing up in their bid to throw their dying kicks, will also fail.
“TSSNL has done what the nation had failed to do over the years and we are happy. We no longer see security agents ferry stolen petroleum products in daylight. We no longer see them escort vessels with suspected stolen products.
“As soon as TSSNL contract is renewed, the remnants of oil thieves Niger Delta will be mopped up. The region is ours and we will agitate for what is best for us. Arewa youths should agitate for the Federal Government to recharge Chad Basin and explore economic potential of Sambisa Forest and stop engaging in these frivolities.” Akpodoro said.
Niger Delta Development Agenda has said stakeholders in the region are satisfied with oil pipeline surveillance and protection by Tantita Security Services.
The group objected to the move by ex-agitator from Ondo State to scuttle the renewed surveillance contract to Tantita.
Decrying the motive behind calling for non-renewal of Tantita’s contract, it said Tantita has exposed international oil cartel smuggling stolen crude oil out of the country to buyers, who stormed Ondo creeks with vessels.
The group, in a statement by Chairman, Ezekiel Ugedi, Secretary, Efemena Ejomafuvwe, and Publicity Secretary, Orighomisan Ezekiel, said Tantita has succeeded where the ex-Ondo agitator failed.
It said Tantita is bringing sanity to Bayelsa and Rivers, hence the uproar from collaborating abettors, who mouth directives from their sponsors.
“Tantita’s destruction of illegal refining camps dotting Rivers State is responsible for clearance of smog in the state.
“Almost all communities were involved in the illegal crude business. They were financed by big oil thieves. Hence, it was easy for culprits to evade arrest.
“The oil thieves also enjoyed the support of law enforcement agents, they gave them protection and never brought them to book.
“The same oil cartels also tried to use host communities to sponsor protest on their behalf as in Koko, Delta State.
“Some renegades in Koko recently took to the streets in support of the activities of a notorious local oil baron.
“The cartel gave money to the people to agitate for them.
“Noise coming from Bayelsa and Rivers is a ruse to divert attention from illegal refineries operating in the states.”
It said Tantita will clean the Augean Stables, adding sanity has to be restored to increase crude production and boost oil revenue, so government can meet its commitment to the people.
“Tantita unmasked operators responsible for crude theft and offered them olive branches to refrain from the illegality, but they remain recalcitrant, it said.
“This is because when it comes to doing something legal, the profit is not as good as that of the illegal business.
“There is no surveillance contract that would be given to them, that is going to make them to stop the theft and pipelines vandalization. Even if given, they will collect the contract and still continue the illegal business.
“They cannot be pacified, the benefits from the international syndicates outweigh what the Nigerian government can offer.
“At every moment, big ships and ocean-liners are anchored and positioned in the Atlantic Ocean awaiting supplies from them.
“These national saboteurs are not in the least ready for any cooperation with the Federal Government. They are too neck deep in illicit profiteering to care about national interest.
To kill a dangerous serpent, its head must be dealt a blow to paralyze it.
” The next phase of Tantita Security Services Limited is to interdict, intercept and apprehend the culprits in their illegal activities.”