President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commends Tantita Security Services Limited for its dogged approach in combating oil theft and pipeline vandalization in the country
For arresting the vessel MT KALI in Bayelsa State early January 2024, the management of the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has been commended by the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The arrest of the vessel had brought face-off between the Nigerian Navy and Tantita management, but Tinubu’s commendation appeared to have laid the matter to rest.
According to David Adeboye, captain of the arrested vessel, he was mandated from Lagos to Bayelsa to load Automative Gas Oil (Diesel), but could not explain how the vessel was loaded with crude oil. Adeboye spoke to journalists on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at Oporoza, Delta State when media men were conducted round the arrested MT KALI. Captain Adeboye said he was sent for the operation after a test run of the vessel.
He said, “When we set out from Lagos, the boat had 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 two engines for like 10 miles and after a 10 mile if we certify that it can go as far as Bayelsa, we should let them know.
“So after the test run for two hours, I got to them that one of the engines is not too good but we can manage it, so they gave us instruction that we should go to Bayelsa at Pennington that we are going to bring back AGO.
“So that was the instruction given to us and the agent who is supposed to connect us either to the ship, I don’t really know much. So, when I got there, I dropped anchor and spoke with the agent who also confirm even in his statement that it was AGO that was originally planned for us to load, so at which point it turned to be crude oil that’s what I am battling to figure out.” He stated.
Adeboye however narrated that the agent was the person who brought the boys that loaded the vessel with crude oil.
“It was the agent that brought the boys, so when I saw them. I said that is okay. I tried to reach the management but because of where we were the network was not good.”
The Executive Director, Operations, TSSNL, Captain Warriedi Enisuoh said Tantita had intercepted the vessel weighing 3,000 tons loaded with approximately 119 tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil in Bayelsa State.
Enisuoh: “This ship left Lagos a couple of days and switched off it AIS, but we knew they were coming to Niger Delta. Further intelligence got to us that it is coming into the Pennington oil field to load illegal crude oil. In this particular incident, we got information that the ship is departing Lagos river for the Niger Delta.
“Further intelligence came that it was going to the Pennington oil field, and the Pennington oil field is in Bayelsa. In description, Pennington is between Forupa, Letugbene, Ezetu, and Bilabiri, all these are Bayelsa communities.
“So, on getting to the environment, we knew that the closest persons that could respond effectively to the nefarious act of this ship would have been our base in Sokebolou. Sokebolou is our base, and that’s where we launched from this operation.
“Early hours before we arrived, we had to launch drones with inferred capability to detect night vision. On arrival, the drone picked up the body hit of the ship, and those who were presently carrying out the particular act.
“Ontop of the platform were three people who we would want to know because they are the persons of interest, they’re experts, they’re the once who do the platform side of the job, connecting the hose to discharge it contents from below the sea belts into the ship.
“In that particular region, 14 oil wells, the ship was able to detect, which oil wells were hot enough to discharge its contents into the ship without the aid of mechanical pumps. So, that means they must have been very good inside our job.
“There must also be people who know that particular platform very well for the ship to stretch to and collect its contents. Those specimens we have impressions of those who worked on the platform before we’re not sure, the investigation is ongoing.
“But what we know is that it was a ship and shore connection that was able to bring this operation into success. I mean, they are operational. So, however, on arrival, the Civil Defense was able to assist us in overpowering the other deposed any resistance. Yes, it is only fair that we allow the government security forces to do their job and effectively execute their jobs and are able to apprehend the ship.
“The crude Oil is from one of the several platforms of Shell Petroleum Development Company located in the Pennington Oil Field located in: Lat 4° 37.946’N 005° 29.345’E.” he stated.
The vessel, identified as MT KALI with IMO N0. 8782800, was intercepted at around 12:25 am on Thursday and carried a crew of two members along with 13 community workers.
The vessel is currently held at Tantita Operational Base at Oporoza, in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri Southwest of Delta State.
The MT KALI, was apprehended during a joint operation by the officials of TSSL, owned by Government ‘Tompolo’ Ekpemupolo, and operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on Friday night.
According to Tantita, the engineer and captain of the vessel, who were identified as Promise Eze and Adeboye, respectively, along with accomplices from some Bayelsa state oil communities, were kept on board the vessel on Friday night as investigation into the vessel continued.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has commended Tantita security services Limited and other security agencies for combating Oil theft.
The Chief of Defence staff, Major General Christopher Musa gave the commendation on behalf of the president while inspecting the impounded MT, Kali by Tantita and other security agencies at Oporoza.
The CDS flanked by Top officials of Nigerian National petroleum Company limited, NNPCL and Top military brass assured of his preparedness to deal ruthlessly with oil thieves and their sponsors.
He disclosed that the arrested vessel would be destroyed in line with standard practice to serve as a deterrent to others.
General Christopher however urged the media to stop creating disaffection between Government and private security agencies working together so as to achieve better results.
“We are here based on the report of the arrest of this ship and think it’s a major achievement. It shows that we’re committed in ensuring that we stop this criminality within the maritime domain”- He said
The CDS also called on Nigerians to put all hands on deck to ensure safety and security in the country’s maritime industry.
