Military to Tantita: We Will Not Succumb to Petty Blackmail 

Linus Aleke in Abuja 

The Nigerian military yesterday responded to viral allegations credited to the founder of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, that the Nigerian Navy is aiding and abetting oil theft in the Niger Delta region, insisting that the military will not succumb to cheap blackmail. 

The military also called on the management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited to collaborate with it to defeat oil theft and increase the volume of daily crude oil production, instead of stoking conflict to score cheap political goals. 

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, who made this call while responding to questions during the biweekly briefing at DHQ in Abuja, also recalled that he was in the theatre of operations before his current tour of duty and therefore cannot compromise on professionalism.

Recall that while Tompolo’s company accused the Navy of undermining efforts to combat crude oil theft. The nation’s apex maritime force described Tantita’s allegations as false, arguing that it had recorded many successes in recent times.

“Just a few days ago, our team intercepted a vessel in Port Harcourt, and the Navy opened fire on Tantita Security while we were accompanied by the police, DSS, and Civil Defence,” Tompolo had said while appealing to the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, president and his team for support.

But responding to questions during the biweekly briefing in Abuja, Buba said: “We seek cooperation and not conflict. We must improve the volume of crude oil production in our country. That is the mainstay of our economy. 

“We will not succumb to this cheap blackmail. We should work together in the interest of our nation. The military had done extremely well in curtailing the activities of oil theft and economic saboteurs. 

“We would not join anybody to score cheap political goals. The military should be commended and not vilified”.

Speaking on the palpable fear expressed by natives of Umuopara, in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State, over possible reprisals from the troops following the unprovoked killing of three military personnel in the line of duty, Buba assured that troops will not harm innocent villagers.

He however vowed that the terrorist elements behind the killing of personnel must be tracked down and forced to face the wrath of law. 

According to him, “We are a professional force and that is not how we operate. Even as much as there are going to be consequences for the terror group that escalated that situation, our targets are not innocent villagers. 

“On November 13, our troops on a checkpoint within the vicinity of that community were attacked and we recorded three casualties”. 

On the ongoing debate about Lakurawa, the director averred that their history or origin or purpose were inconsequential, stating that what matters was that they are threats to national security and they are recognised as such.

“Our operations in North-west has been rejigged, as you all know, the Operation Fansan Yamma is now similar to that of operations Hadin Kai in North-east theatre,” he said. 

He said that the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar was at the theatre of operations recently to operationalise the air component of the operation Fansan Yamma in North-west.