Oil theft: Navy arrest Tompolo’s men at Lekki Waters – Newstrends
Connect with us

metro

Oil theft: Navy arrest Tompolo’s men at Lekki Waters

Published

1 year ago

on

Oil theft: Navy arrest Tompolo’s men at Lekki Waters

The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday allegedly aborted an attempted oil theft at Lekki Waters and arrested four men identified as men of TANTITA Security Service, owned by a Niger Delta ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

They were arrested by men of the Nigerian Navy stationed at FOB LEKKI at waterways near the Itolu community, Lekki after the residents of the area raised the alarm following gunshots from the waterside.

While parading the suspects on Wednesday, the Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, said they were arrested while they were attacking a local from whom they tried stealing a boat engine.

Oguntuga said, “In a swift response to a distress call, the Nigerian Navy stationed at FOB Lekki foiled an attempted oil theft operation on the waterways near Itolu community, Lekki, in Lagos State.

“The incident occurred in the early hours of August 29, 2023, when local youths reported gunshots in the vicinity of the community.

“Reviewing the information, naval patrol teams immediately launched a response operation. Upon arrival at the scene, the naval team met four individuals dressed in black polo shirts with TANTITA inscribed on the back, trying to recover a dismantled outboard engine from a local. The team recovered the engine and apprehended the four Tantita employees.”

READ ALSO:

“It was after this arrest that the patrol team realised that the four individuals were part of a movement of a large wooden boat with two fibre boats. The four arrested individuals beckoned on the two fibre boats to approach them but when they noticed NN patrol teams, the boats altered courses fled away, and abandoned the large wooden boat laden with 11 x 1000L Geepee tanks with product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

“The arrested individuals have been identified as Asonja Goddey (28), Obajimi Oluwaseyifunmi (38), Awoowo Aribo (35), and Oluwadaisi Balogun (40), all hailing from Igbokoda in Ondo State. The owner of the boat they were trying to forcibly employ, Ishola Ojubuyi (42), is also taken into custody.

“The Nigerian Navy has initiated an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the possession of firearms used in the community, economic sabotage, how the product came from Ondo State to Lagos State as well as attempting to steal a boat engine from the locals.

“Also, one Mr Owoye Omotuyi who was identified as a Tantita staff member, came to secure the release of the four apprehended, claiming they were Tantita employees. All suspects along with the confiscated exhibits will be handed over to appropriate agencies for further necessary action and prosecution,” he added.

Meanwhile, the security outfit’s Ondo State Coordinator, Idowu Asonja, in a press statement on Wednesday alleged that their men were after the real culprits who owned the wooden boat laden with crude products.

READ ALSO:

Asonja also alleged that the NAVY was paid to guide the vessel.

He said, “It is a pathetic and worrisome moment in the western corridor of the Niger Delta states as Nigerian Navy officers arrested four of the Tantita security guards in Ondo/Ogun Zone after the Tantita guards successfully apprehended a wooden vessel fully loaded with crude oil.

“This afternoon, it happens that the Navy security initially were parading a wooden vessel loaded with crude oil, after a while, they released the vessel which was fully loaded with crude oil by some oil thieves.

“Meanwhile, the Tantita security guards were monitoring the matter and later bombarded the vessel after discovering that the Navy officers were paid to guide the vessel. This notorious act/display by the Navy officers provoked the Tantita guards in the area to pursue the vessel, which they later succeeded in arresting.

“To our greatest surprise, the owners of the vessel ran away and came back to the scene with some Nigerian Navy officers working at the Dangote Refinery, which resulted in a conflict and finally, the Navy officers attacked my men, later arrested four of the Tantita security guards from Ondo zone, and set free the wooden vessel.”

Federal Government on August 22, 2022, awarded the contract of protecting oil pipelines to TANTITA Security Service, but there has been controversy over the contract with Nigerians disagreeing on whether it should be revoked or not.

Oil theft: Navy arrest Tompolo’s men at Lekki Waters

(PUNCH)

Related Topics:
Advertisement

metro

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

Published

5 hours ago

on

December 28, 2024

By

Nigerian Military Troop

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of two soldiers and the theft of their weapons by operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB is a separatist group advocating for the creation of the Republic of Biafra, citing longstanding grievances over the marginalization of Nigeria’s South-East region since the Biafra-Nigeria civil war.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Nigerian Army explained that the incident occurred in Osina, Ideator North Local Government Area of Imo State, when troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade, returning from a routine patrol, responded to an emergency call about an attack on Osina Community by IPOB/ESN forces.

The statement revealed that upon arrival, the troops engaged the “terrorists” with overwhelming firepower, resulting in casualties among the attackers. However, the Army did not provide specific numbers, only noting that the “dissidents” eventually withdrew in disarray.

“Unfortunately, two security agents had been killed in action and one other missing in action, with their weapons—a AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher—being seized by the terrorists,” the statement said.

READ ALSO:

The Army confirmed that the bodies of the fallen soldiers had been recovered, and the troops pursued the fleeing militants.

“Contact was again made with the criminal IPOB/ESN elements at Nkwachi Community, and in the firefight that ensued, one of the dissidents was neutralized while others, unable to withstand the troop’s firepower, retreated into the nearby forest. One AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine was recovered, ” the statement said, adding that the troops continued their pursuit into Umalouma forest, where another intense exchange of fire took place.

“The dissidents eventually abandoned their weapons due to the troops’ superior firepower and scattered into the dense forest with severe gunshot wounds. An additional four AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, and two magazines were recovered,” the statement added.

The Army assured the public that operations would continue, with efforts to track down and eliminate the remaining criminals. “Further exploitation is ongoing as troops continue to track down the injured terrorists and flush them out of their hideouts and treatment locations,” the statement stated. “We urge all IPOB/ESN elements and other criminals hiding in the bushes to surrender to the nearest troops or face defeat, as the Brigade will ensure that the people of Imo celebrate the Yuletide season in peace, free from fear or intimidation.”

The Nigerian Army also called on the people of Imo State to continue providing timely intelligence to assist in the fight against criminal elements and help rid the state of lawlessness.

 

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

Continue Reading

metro

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

Published

6 hours ago

on

December 28, 2024

By

An accident scene File photo

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ondo State Sector Command, says no fewer than 13 people were burnt to death along Ikare-Akoko/ Owo Road on Saturday in the state.

Dr Samuel Ibitoye, FRSC State Sector Commander made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Akure.

“FRSC regrets to inform the public about a road traffic crash that occurred today 28 December, 2024 at Abule Panu before Ose Bridge, on Owo-Ikare highway, Ondo State.

“The fatal crash which occurred at about 10:14 AM claimed 13 lives of commuters in two buses.

READ ALSO:

“A total of 14 people were involved, out of which 13 were burnt beyond recognition, while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries.

“Eyewitness account indicates that the bus coming from Ikare axis had a tyre burst which led to loss of control.

“This was resultant in a head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from Owo axis.

“Immediately after the collision, the two buses went up in flames. The men of FRSC, Police and Fire Service were swiftly at the crash scene for rescue,” he said.

The FRSC boss said that the injured victim was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

He, therefore, advised drivers to exercise patience on the roads and passionately maintain their vehicles.

“Passengers are also encouraged to speak out against dangerous driving because road safety is a concern of all,” Ibitoye said.

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
NAN

Continue Reading

metro

NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

Published

6 hours ago

on

December 28, 2024

By

NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to galvanise the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) by releasing N30 billion counterpart fund for the development of young entrepreneurs.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, restated the Commission’s commitment to empowering the people of the region through economic programmes. 

He highlighted the NDCCITMA’s role in training youths, supporting SMEs, and designing industry-friendly skill development programmes.

Ogbuku said the NDDC was supporting the NDCCITMA to drive economic growth and development in the Niger Delta region by providing financial support, training and networking opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

He said,  “We are providing N30 billion to fund projects and support businesses to ensure the sustainability of our youth development initiatives.

READ ALSO:

“We will release the matching funds so the entrepreneurs can access them to boost their businesses. In our 2024 budget, we have provision for N30 billion which we are to use as matching funds for the chamber of commerce. We are working towards releasing this fund so that the chamber of commerce can start work in earnest.

“The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce will strengthen young entrepreneurs in the region. It is no longer acceptable for our youths to be contented with receiving stipends while at home doing nothing.
Ogbuku remarked that the Commission was collaborating with the Bank of Industry, BOI, to ensure the success of NDDC’s youth development programmes.

“The current NDDC Board and Management choose to look at sustainable options in designing youth programmes. In the past, we did a lot in supporting entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta but these activities were not properly documented and backed with verifiable data.

“Our new strategy is to support genuine entrepreneurs rather than people who are just portfolio entrepreneurs because we know that the government alone cannot employ everybody. Many university graduates are coming out, and the government cannot employ all of them. However, we can empower them by creating an environment where they can engage other persons to expand their businesses.”

 

NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

Continue Reading

Trending