Tantita Security, Navy Trade Blame over Arrested Vessel

Sunday Aborisade in  Abuja and Sylvester Idowu in  Warri

The Tantita Security Services Limited, has described as false and malicious, a statement credited to the Nigerian Navy, which alleged that the private security outfit was involved in crude oil theft.

The Nigeria Navy according to a statement by Captain Warredi Enisuoh the Executive Director (Operations and Technical) of TSSL, had on Thursday, claimed that the private security outfit was connected to the vessel the Navy arrested which was loaded with crude in Ondo State.

Part of the TSSL statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a defamatory and libellous statement made by the Nigerian Navy against our organisation,. 

“In the statement made on Thursday the 7th of December, 2023 by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, he informed the general public that the Nigerian Navy had detected and arrested a 77 meter long motor tanker for crude oil theft with her 17 crew members. 

“He (Ayo-Vaughan) further added and we quote “it is believed that Tantita Security Services is involved in these illegalities because Awoye riverine area which is close to the place of arrest is covered by TSS. 

“Again it was upon the arrest of the vessel by the Nigerian Navy that TSS began to raise false alarm, totally unfounded and indeed mischievous.” 

“We are indeed saddened and disappointed that the Nigerian Navy could descend so low as to make such bizarre accusations against our organisation knowing same to be false. 

“Perhaps they are not aware that video evidence of what transpired between the Tantita operatives and the Nigerian Navy at the scene exists and has been transmitted to the highest authorities. 

“We will therefore not join issues with the Nigerian Navy as we are well aware that Nigerians know who is who.”

The private security surveillance company owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, also said it had identified those allegedly behind the operations of the arrested crude oil theft vessel in Ondo State.

THISDAY gathered from the company that the wellhead/jacket where the vessel was caught was situated between OML103/OML110 within the vicinity of Lat 5.993327°N Long 4.81681°E, only a few kilometers off the coast of Ondo State, and within view of the Nigerian Navy’s FalconEye.

A report made to the NNPC Command and Control Centre, Borno House, Abuja and signed by Capt. Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director – Operations and Technical, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, indicated that the oil theft took place between OML103/OML110 (operated by Cavendish Petroleum Nigeria Limited and Consolidated Oil) respectively.

Tantita said there had been one too many crude oil theft from Jackets within the same vicinity and called on the federal government to investigate the activities of the oil firms.

It also called for inquiry into the shooting directed at Tantita Operatives by the Nigerian Navy personnel on a gunboat marked “P491”.

The Nigeria Navy has since denied its alleged involvement, saying that Tantita Security was raising a false alarm against its personnel.

Ayo-Vaughan had in the statement on Thursday, alleged that Tantita Security Service was involved in the illegalities because Awoye riverine area which is close to the place of arrest is covered by TSS.

“Again, it was upon the arrest of the vessel by the Nigerian Navy that TSS began to raise a false alarm, totally unfounded and indeed mischievous. Nonetheless, the Nigerian Navy remains resolute in the pursuit of her constitutional mandate for the protection of Nigeria’s Maritime Environment for national economic development and prosperity,” the statement said.

ealing will be by ship, whose name has been obliterated and unknown.

“Chief amongst the beneficiaries of the planned operation is one Mr. Iwatan  Bamitale who is currently facing charges in court under similar circumstances.

“The loading of the ship was to commence just before 2200hrs local time on the 6th of December 2023. Tantita Security Operatives got confirmation that the unknown ship is on location and has made fast to the Well Jacket and that loading has commenced.

“At about 0300hrs local time Tantita Security Operatives set out to secure the scene of the crime via two boats. While underway, information reached us that the ship had onboard four AK-47 rifles and ammunition and we should proceed with caution. This prompted us to have a change in plan from securing the ship in the dark to laying siege in the area, waiting for daylight hours.

“As daylight approached, we approached the ship to have a clearer view. It was discovered that it had already connected hoses from the Wellhead to its deck and loading had commenced. 

“By this time, an update also got to us that the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base has sent out gunboats in the direction of the crime scene as well. Their mission was to rescue the ship from the Tantita Operatives laying siege in the area and securing it from being boarded.

“Not long after the information about the Navy gunboats came in, at about 0700hrs local time, two Navy gunboats and one speed boat donated to the Nigerian Navy by the Ondo State Government four years ago, approached and started firing warning shots. 

“The Tantita Security Operatives had no choice but to abandon securing the crime scene and calling for backup from their Oporoza Base. Backup from Tantita’s Oporoza base arrived on scene at about midafternoon. They couldn’t approach the vessel which was still made fast to the Wellhead with its loading hose. We presume that loading was still in progress as the Nigerian Navy did all it could to protect the ship.”

The report stated that the private security operatives refused to leave the area despite the ‘Cat and Mouse’ chase between the Tantita Operatives and the Navy at sea, adding that by evening time, they got information that the Navy had removed the Master of the yet to be identified ship and one other crew member to their base in Lagos, for reasons “we consider obvious. 

“From our deductions, owing to the short time span and lack of room given to the crude oil thieves and the size of the hoses, the ship hasn’t loaded much before its planned operation was disrupted. Though we are unsure as to how much she has taken since we couldn’t board the ship,” it added.

The private security outfit implored the federal government to direct the Nigerian Navy to present the unidentified ship in for further investigation, as well as produce the Crew taken off the unidentified ship for questioning.

Other requests by Tantita include that “The Nigerian Navy should make sure that the stolen crude oil is not pumped out and the ship cleaned up.”

It urged the federal government to investigate the activities going on inside of the Nigerian Navy’s FalconEye, noting that the vessel was only a few kilometers off the coast of Ondo State, well within view of the Nigerian Navy’s FalconEye, but they never reacted.

“We also want the government to investigate the connection and acclaimed transactions between Mr. Iwatan Bamitale and the said Pipeline Surveillance Company approaching NNPC for a contract.”

Similarly, “The activities of the employees of Cavendish Petroleum Nigeria Limited and Consolidated Oil should be closely looked into and investigated as there has been one too many crude oil theft from Jackets within this same vicinity.

“There should be an inquiry into the shooting directed at Tantita Operatives and the Government Security Forces attached to them by the Nigerian Navy personnel on the gunboat marked “P491,” it added.