•••NAVY MOVES TO BOOST FIGHT AGAINST OIL THEFT; APPOINTS SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO WORK WITH TSSL TO COVER NIGERIA’S BLUE WATERS
The Tantita Security Services Limited the private company in the forefront in the fight against oil theft has again arrested another vessel for alleged theft of the nation’s crude oil in Bayelsa State.
The Network can say authoritatively that the vessel, MT Harbour Spirit with IMO No: 8226272, has been taken to Tantita’s operational base at Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State for further investigation.
The vessel is currently anchored at Tantita facility at Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The arrest of the MT Harbour follows the arrest of MT KALI with IMO N0. 8782800 in January.
The vessel weighing 3,000 tons was loaded with 119 barrels of suspected stolen crude when the operatives of TSL intercepted it.
The vessel was intercepted in the Ekeni area of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Thursday, January 15, 2024.
The vessel, identified as MT KALI with IMO N0. 8782800, was seized around 12:25 am on January 15.
As at the time of the arrest, it was carrying a crew of 12 members along with 13 community workers.
The crew and the community workers were siphoning crude oil into the vessel from offshore Sokebolou field in Bayelsa state, when they were arrested.
Meanwhile, the Network investigation revealed that the nation’s campaign against oil theft received a major boost with the Navy’s avowed collaboration with Tantita Security to intensify the ongoing campaign against the theft of the nation’s crude resources amidst rising economic challenges.
Top operatives involved in the campaign against oil theft told the Network that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has set up a special task force to collaborate with Tantita in waging the battle against oil thieves.
It was learnt that efforts are bring made to finalize operational arrangements with Tantita in the renewed collaboration which is receiving attention pinnacle security circles in the Tinubu administration.
Details later…