Tantita Security Services Limited, TSSL, a private security firm owned by Government Tompolo Ekpemupolo, together with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, following intelligence report intercepted a vessel, M.T. Kally carrying 200,000 liters of crude oil in offshore Bayelsa State penultimate Friday night.
Revelations from the captain of the Vessel Adeboye David and its Engineer, Promise Eze together with their Bayelsan accomplices, disclosed that they were syphoning crude from Pennington Oil field in the State.
They also disclosed that the vessel was mobilized from Lagos for the operation which they were told will be hitch free as the brain behind the operation had informed them that all security apparatus on their route have been compromised.
The Executive Director of TSSL, Warredi Enisuoh, confirmed the claim that the vessel was indeed mobilized in Lagos adding that TSSL trailed the vessel from Lagos to the point where it was arrested following gathered intelligence. Enisuoh also disclosed that the same vessel has been in the act of illegal crude lifting and oil theft since 2013. Further more, he did say it has also been arrested in the past expressing worries how it usually escapes from arrest.
No doubt this is not ordinary as it is possible some powerful power brokers may be involved says a Maritime operator, Daudu Ogbia to SSWatch.
The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu had since commended the efforts of TSSL and the security agencies involved through the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa when he visited the impounded MT. Kally and the suspects at Oporoza, Delta State where they are being held.
Ironically, the captain of the ship, Captn. Adebayo David claims that he was originally detailed to carry Automated Petroleum Oil, AGO (Diesel). Hence expressing shock that what he eventually got involved with was crude oil.
The CDS also promised to deal ruthlessly with oil thieves and their sponsors to serve as deterrent to others saying that the arrested vessel would be destroyed in line with standard practice as he described the arrest, as a major achievement. In his words, the CDS added: it shows that we’re committed to ensuring that we stop this criminality within the maritime environment
