Tompolo’s Tanita Security foils oil theft
In a surprising turn of events, the Tanita Security Services, owned by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, a former Niger Delta agitator, intercepted a vessel named MT Praisel in the Koko area of Delta State.
The vessel was suspected of carrying stolen crude oil.
On a fateful Wednesday, the Tanita Security operatives spotted the MT Praisel, a 1,117-ton vessel, being escorted by naval officers, carrying approximately 8,100 barrels of crude oil.
According to them, what caught their attention was the fact that the vessel was flying a Togolese flag, and the escorting naval boat was under the command of a senior naval officer.
READ ALSO: Tompolo’s security firm intercepts vessel transporting 800,000 litres of stolen crude oil
The interception faced resistance from the naval boat’s crew, with their commander threatening severe action against the private security operatives. However, undeterred, the Tanita operatives refused to back down.
Taking a decisive step, they contacted the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, who granted them authorization to inspect the vessel.
Upon boarding the MT Praisel, the security company discovered that the vessel had received authorization from the navy to carry products. However, the vessel lacked necessary approvals from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
This incident couldn’t have come at a more critical time, considering the Federal Government’s outcry over the rampant illegal trade of stolen crude oil. The economic losses incurred by Nigeria in just 12 months amounted to a staggering N2.3 trillion.
