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A coalition of elders and youths from Bayelsa State under the aegis of the Movement for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta (MSDND) has refuted claims that Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) intercepted a vessel, MT KALI with IMO N0. 8782800, suspected to be conveying stolen crude oil in Bayelsa State.
According to the National Coordinator of MSDND, Chief Ayebatekena Olodi, reports of the ocean-going vessel, which allegedly had 12 crew members onboard, are shrouded in lies and an attempt to manipulate the Federal Government to hand over the multi-million dollar crude oil and gas pipeline surveillance contract to Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.
The Nigerian Tribune learned that Tantita Security Services Limited reportedly impounded the vessel, which is currently held at Tantita Operational Base in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, along the Ekeni waterways in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking further, Chief Olodi said, “The management of Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) has become desperate to frame the state following the recent national publications of the position of the Bayelsa State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, on the need to review and decentralise the crude oil and gas pipeline surveillance contracts awarded by the federal government across states in the Niger Delta.
“There is no place known as offshore Sokebolou field in Bayelsa State. Every oil station, field, block, or oil well has its name mapped out, and a simple Google search will reveal that there is no such place as offshore Sokebolou Field and that the seizure and towing of the purportedly seized vessel to Gbaramatu is very convenient for the private security company to fabricate lies to manipulate public opinion.
“Instead of Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) following the legally required protocol, they have resorted to making unfounded claims and taking over the responsibilities of the anti-corruption agencies.”
Olodi also stated that the purported vessel seizure and the sudden announcement showed signs of desperation by the private security company owned by a former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.
He said that the news report is targeted at hoodwinking the Federal Government, the National Security Officer (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the board and management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to renew his contract as sole security contractor of the crude oil pipeline in the region.
The MSDND, however, called out the management of Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) to clear the air on the allegations of wrongdoing and theft levelled against some of its operatives by the Nigerian Navy “instead of resorting to unconfirmed and unverifiable stunts.”
