Tempers flare as Tompolo’s Tantita, soldiers foil oil theft off Ondo coast – Newstrends
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Tempers flare as Tompolo’s Tantita, soldiers foil oil theft off Ondo coast

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Tempers flare as Tompolo’s Tantita, soldiers foil oil theft off Ondo coast

Pipeline surveillance company, Tantita Security Services Limited has alerted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, on the activities of an unmarked vessel purportedly involved in illegal bunkering activities off Ondo State coast

TSSL, which is owned by Chief (Dr) Government Ekpemupolo, said the unknown oil tanker was moored at an oil well jacket around the Oil Mining Leases (OML) 110 and 103 operated by Cavendish Petroleum Limited, and Consolidated Oil respectively.

In its report to NNPCL that was made available to The Nation, TSSL said its  operatives in Igbokoda axis of Ondo State were tipped off by its intelligence sources on the plot by a syndicate to steal crude oil from a well jacket in between the two OMLs.

“The loading of the ship was to commence just before 2200hrs local time on the 6th of December 2023. Tantita Security Operatives got confirmation that the unknown ship is on location and had made fast to the Well Jacket and that loading has commenced.

“At about 0300hrs, Tantita Security Operatives set out to secure the scene of the crime via two boats. While underway, information reached us that the ship had four AK-47 rifles and ammunition and we should proceed with caution.”

The firm also expressed concerns about possible collusion between the criminals, bad eggs within the NNPCL, and officials of the Nigerian Navy’s FOB around the vicinity of the crime.

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The letter signed by Captain Waredi Enisuoh identified a suspected oil dealer, who is currently facing charges of illegal bunkering (names withheld) as the mastermind of the plot.

The statement said the gang is working in league with an illegal bunkering and well jacket vandalism suspect based in Benin, Edo State, and appealed to the Nigerian Navy to allow its operative to bring the suspect to face the law

“As daylight, we approached the ship to have a clearer view. It was discovered that it had already connected hoses from the Wellhead to its deck and loading had commenced.

“By this time, an update also got to us that the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base has sent out gunboats in the direction of the crime scene as well. Their mission was to rescue the ship from the Tantita Operatives laying siege in the area and securing it from being boarded.”

Enisuoh said the two Navy gunboats and a speedboat donated to the Nigerian Navy by the Ondo State government stormed the area and started firing warning shots at its operatives forcing them abandon mission and wait for backup.

A video of the confrontation between the navy on one hand, and tteam comprising soldiers of the Nigerian Army and TSSL operatives, on the other hand showed the naval officers directing the TSSL team to backoff, saying, “we have authority to secure the area “

The group lamented that they were drawing fire from the navy, who should join them in protecting oil assets from theft.

Meanwhile the TSSL has denied a statement linking the organization to  illegalities around Awoye riverine area  by the Nigerian Navy.

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Reacting to the allegation  in a statement signed by the Executive Director – Operations and Technical Capt. Warredi Enisuoh, TSSL said: “Our attention has been drawn to a defamatory and libellous statement made by the Nigerian Navy against our organisation, Tantita Security Services Limited. In the statement made on Thursday the7th of December, 2023 by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, he informed the general public that the Nigerian Navy had detected and arrested a 77 meter long motor tanker for crude oil theft with her 17 crew members.

“He further added and we quote “it is believed that Tantita Security Services is involved in these illegalities because Awoye riverine area which is close to the place of arrest is covered by TSS.

Again it was upon the arrest of the vessel by the Nigerian Navy that TSS began to raise false alarm, totally unfounded and indeed mischievous.”

“We are indeed saddened and disappointed that the Nigerian Navy could descend so low as to make such bizarre accusations against our organisation knowing same to be false.

“Perhaps they are not aware that video evidence of what transpired between the Tantita operatives and the Nigerian Navy at the scene exists and has been transmitted to the highest authorities. We will therefore not join issues with the Nigerian Navy as we are well aware that Nigerians know who is who.”

Tempers flare as Tompolo’s Tantita, soldiers foil oil theft off Ondo coast

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Terrorists kill eight vigilantes in Kaduna community, two village heads

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Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan,

Terrorists kill eight vigilantes in Kaduna community, two village heads

No fewer than eight vigilante members and two others were killed by terrorists in Kakangi and Unguwan Matinja communities in Kaduna’s Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.

The local leaders of Kakangi and Kisaya villages in Kakangi Ward were also kidnapped.

A resident of the LG, Idris Khalid, who confirmed the event to our correspondent, claimed the gun-wielding men invaded the villages about early Thursday.

Bala Kamba, Abdurrahman Musa (Ubale), Kabiru Dan Dugui, Hambali Abu, Aliyu Abu, Nura Jika (Maleka), Mubarak Musa (Dan Wamba), and Ikra Hantsi were the eight vigilante members killed at Kakangi.

Khalid also revealed that the two victims in the Ungwan Matinja neighbourhood of Gayam Ward were Christopher Abubakar and Isah Gambo.

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He claimed the vigilantes were attacked while tracking down the kidnapped victims, who were abducted on their way to a funeral between Kakangi and Sabon Layi.

“The vigilantes engaged the terrorists, killing scores of them, but could not rescue the two traditional rulers and others.

“Normally, anytime there is a kidnapping incident, the vigilantes always trail the terrorists to rescue the victims.

“It’s unfortunate that in the process, eight gallant officers of the vigilantes who have been sacrificing to ensure the safety of our people were lost,” the resident said.

When contacted, the State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, stated, “We are investigating the matter to determine the true story because the area where the incident occurred had a network problem.”

Terrorists kill eight vigilantes in Kaduna community, two village heads

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Repentant Boko Haram members burn NDLEA, Customs checkpoints in Borno

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Repentant Boko Haram members burn NDLEA, Customs checkpoints in Borno

A group of suspected repentant Boko Haram insurgents, on Wednesday stormed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Customs Service checkpoints at Kasuwan Fara, a suburb of Maiduguri metropolis, chasing away the personnel on duty and setting ablaze all structures at the checkpoints.

The incident, according to security analyst and counter insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, followed a fierce encounter between the former Boko Haram combatants and the police at the Kasuwan Fara Divisional Police Office.

The suspected repentant insurgents, reportedly wearing military uniform, had pounced on the police office to forcefully set free their eight colleagues arrested at the suburb over criminal activities bordering on dealing in hard drugs.

The arrest was made on April 24 during a raid carried out by the police on the notorious spot at the criminals-ridden Kasuwan Fara.

“Due to the rise and persistence of criminal activities and sinister operations by drug peddlers comprising dismissed military personnel, repentant insurgents and other hoodlums, who assemble there to conduct nefarious activities, the area had since been earmarked for closure by Borno State Government.

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“The April 24 raid, where the eight suspected repentant insurgents were arrested and 426 bottles of spirits such as dry gin confiscated, was conducted to sanitize the area, pending the final closure.

“The arrested persons were detained at the Kasuwan Fara police division since the day of their arrest.

” Subsequently, at about 7:40 am of Thursday, May 2, a dozen of the suspected repentant insurgents in military uniform, stormed the Kasuwan Fara police station in an attempt to rescue their arrested fellows.

” The Divisional Police Officer alongside his men were able to repel the attack while the perpetrators fled.

” Consequently, the assailants, in an apparent transfer of aggression, reverted to attacking NDLEA and NCS personnel checkpoint along the Maiduguri-Gubio road Kasuwan Fara, where they burnt down the checkpoints alongside the sandbags heaped on the road and fled the scene, ” Zagazola Makama said.

Borno Police Command spokesman, ASP Kenneth Daso, who confirmed the incident, said investigations were ongoing to apprehend the attackers, adding that the arrested eight suspects have been handed over to relevant security quarters.

Repentant Boko Haram members burn NDLEA, Customs checkpoints in Borno

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Police identify officer who shot man dead at fuel station

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Police identify officer who shot man dead at fuel station

The Police Command in Lagos State has identified the officer who allegedly shot a man dead at a filling station in the Obalende area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development in a post he shared on his verified X handle@ben Hundeyin on Thursday.

He said that the officer had been identified.

“The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos.

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“Investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available, ” he said.

According to Hundeyin, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade is working with the family of the deceased to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice.

It could be recalled that the deceased, Toheeb Eniasa, was shot dead by a policemam on Wednesday while struggled to buy fuel.

It was learnt that two officers drove into the station to purchase fuel but motorists asked them to join the queue.

In the process, an argument ensured which resulited into a fight and one of the officers shot Eniasa and ran away.

Police identify officer who shot man dead at fuel station

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