By Peregba Jerry
Efforts to end crude oil theft in the Niger Delta got a major boost with the arrest of an ocean-going vessel, while siphoning crude oil in an offshore location in Bayelsa state, by operatives of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).
TSSNL, a private security firm owned by former freedom fighter, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, in a joint operation with men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), apprehended the vessel identified as MT KALI, Thursday night.
This arrest came barely 24 hours after the Nigerian Navy led by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, launched a new outfit, ‘Operation Delta Sanity’, to combat oil theft and other maritime crimes in Warri, Delta state.
The captain and marine engineer of the vessel, identified as Adeboye David and Promise Eze respectively, as well as other accomplices, alleged to be members of some communities in the state, were seen on board the vessel in a video circulating online, Friday evening.
In the video, the crew and their local accomplices were seen siphoning crude oil onto the vessel from offshore Sokebolou field in Bayelsa state, before they were apprehended.
It was gathered that the management of TSSNL had reported the incident to the National Security Officer (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the board and management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Adeboye and Eze, during an interrogation by an official of TSSNL, said the vessel came in from Lagos state, four days prior to the arrest.
According to them, they departed Lagos following assurances by their boss, simply identified as Captain Adeniyi, that they would have smooth sailing to conduct their business as relevant “security” agents on the waterways had been “settled”.
Tantita’s Executive Director Operations and Technical, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, disclosed last night that the vessel is presently anchored at an NNPCL location at Oporoza, Warri Southwest council area of Delta state.
He said the suspects were kept on board the vessel as investigations continued on Friday.
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