The occurrence follows the Federal Government’s complaint that the illegal trading of stolen crude oil causes Nigeria to suffer huge economic losses totaling N2.3 trillion in a calendar year.
The Tanita Security Services have stopped an alleged watercraft carrying crude oil that is thought to have been stolen in the Koko region of Delta State.
The vessel, which weighed 1,117 tonnes and was carrying roughly 8,100 barrels of petroleum, was being escorted by several naval officers when the interception took place on Wednesday.
Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, an ex-Niger Delta agitator who recently received a contract from the Federal Government to protect oil pipelines, is the owner of Tanita Security Outfit, a private security firm.
Tanita Security employees claim the MT Praisel-designated vessel was flying a Togolese flag and was being accompanied by a Navy boat commanded by a senior naval captain.
The naval captain allegedly promised to deal with the Tanita agents decisively once they encountered opposition from the navy boat guarding the ship. The private assassins, though, claimed they would not yield.
However, they eventually got in touch with Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who gave them permission to see the ship.
The security firm claims that when they boarded the ship, they discovered that although the navy had given the ship permission to transport goods, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which oversees midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria, had not given the ship any approvals for this particular voyage.
The occurrence follows the Federal Government’s complaint that the illegal trading of stolen crude oil causes Nigeria to suffer huge economic losses totaling N2.3 trillion in a calendar year.
According to experts, the loss might affect up to 25% of the country’s production of crude oil. Workers’ unions around the country have demonstrated in response to the recent elimination of the petrol subsidy.
After meeting with President Bola Tinubu recently, another former Niger Delta agitator, Asari Dokubo, informed journalists at the State House that some dishonest military officers are responsible for stealing Nigeria’s petroleum.
