The private security firm contracted by the federal government in the fight against crude oil theft, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) has arrested another ocean-going vessel with thousands of metric tonnes of stolen crude oil Offshore Bayelsa State.
The vessel named MT Kally was apprehended by a joint operation by the officials of TSSL, owned by a former militant commander in the Niger Delta, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
THISDAY gathered last night that the vessel was arrested barely 24 hours after the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla launched “Operations Delta Sanity” in Warri, an exercise aimed at checkmating crude oil theft and maritime criminal activities in the Niger Delta region.
It was learnt the arrested vessel had been anchored at an NNPCL location in Oporoza in Warri South West Local Government area of Delta State.
Sources said the crew of the vessel and their local accomplices were allegedly illegally loading crude oil from Offshore Sokebolou field in Bayelsa when they were caught by operatives of Tantita in conjunction with the NSCDC personnel.
According to the security sources, preliminary investigations indicated that the first manifold of the vessel had been filled before the intervention of the security agents.
It was further gathered that the management of the TSSL had intimated the National Security Advisor, Mallam Shehu Ribadu and the Management of the NNPCL with the arrest.
From a video clip received by THISDAY, the Captain and Engineer of the vessel, Adeboye David and Promise Eze, and some of their accomplices, who were members of some oil communities in Bayelsa state, were kept on board the vessel for further investigation into the incident.
Adeboye and Eze, who were interrogated by officials of TSSL in the video said the vessel was hired from Lagos to load crude oil illegally from Offshore locations in Bayelsa State.
They said they departed Lagos State for the job following assurances from their boss, whom they refused to identify and that all security agencies had given him (Boss) assurances of an unfettered access to the manifold.
Director of Operations of TSSL, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, confirmed the arrest of the vessel and the crew members as well as local accomplices.
Sylvester Idowu in Warri
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