The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited says Tantita Security Services Limited, intercepted an 800,000-litre capacity vessel loaded with stolen crude.
The NNPCL hired Tantita Security Services Limited, to help fight the massive crude opil theft in the Nigeri Delta region.
Industry experts say the gamble to hire Tompolo is paying off with the latest arrest by the ex-militant leader’s security outfit.
According to Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL Garba Deen Muhammad, in a statement, the vessel was headed for Cameroon.
“Following the receipt of credible intelligence, a Private Security Contractor engaged by NNPC Ltd, Tantita Security Services, intercepted a suspicious Vessel with a Cargo of Crude oil on board on July 7, 2023.
“The Vessel, MT TURA II (IMO number: 6620462), owned by a Nigerian Registered Company, HOLAB MARITIME SERVICES LIMITED with Registration Number RC813311, was heading to Cameroun with the Cargo on board when it was apprehended at an offshore location (Latitude: 5.8197194477543235°, Longitude: 4.789002723991871°), with the Captain and Crew members on board.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the crude oil cargo onboard was illegally sourced from a well jacket offshore Ondo State, Nigeria. There was no valid documentation for the Vessel or the Crude Oil Cargo onboard at the time of the arrest.
“Further investigation into the activities of the vessel at the NNPC Ltd. Command and Control Centre also revealed that the Vessel has been operating in stealth mode for the last twelve (12) years. The last reported location of the Vessel was Tin Can Port in July 2011,” the company said.
Meanwhile, NNPCL is insisting that in order to provide a “strong warning and deterrent” to others participating in the stolen oil trade, it would destroy the vessel.
The company assured Nigerians that it will continue to sustain the momentum in the war against crude oil theft until it is brought to a halt.
