President Bola Tinubu has praised the joint efforts of Tantita Security Services Limited and other security agencies in effectively combating oil theft, noting that their collaborative actions are producing positive outcomes.
In the inspection of the MT. Kali vessel apprehended by Tantita and other security agencies in Oporoza, Delta State, Major General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, conveyed the President’s commendation.
Accompanied by key officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and high-ranking military personnel, the CDS pledged stringent action against oil thieves and their backers.
Musa emphasized that the seized vessel would be dismantled following established protocols, serving as a deterrent to potential offenders. He urged the media to refrain from fostering discord between the government and private security agencies collaborating for improved outcomes.
“We are here based on the report of the arrest of this ship, and I think it’s a major achievement. It shows that we’re committed to ensuring that we stop this criminality within the maritime environment.
“This is a collaborative effort and it will continue to collaborate with the NNPC, the others, private security agencies, the main Federal Government agencies are also working together. I don’t want a situation where we create the impression as if there’s enmity between this group and that group.
“We’re working for the same team. We’re all Nigerians; this is our country. Whatever is happening here is an act of criminality that must be stopped by all means. So, I want to make it very clear that all Nigerians must put hands on deck to ensure that we stop these acts,” he said.
Musa added further that “the country is bleeding”, stating that “we need all the funds we need so that this country can grow and develop and it is just by stopping these criminals like this, that will make that very possible”.
He disclosed that the Chief of Defense Intelligence would investigate the suspects arrested to know “who is involved, what was taken, who sent them, and this is because we want to catch the perpetrators”.
He explained, “These are just the ground troops that are being used. The main actors are behind, and I want to use this opportunity to warn all those that don’t want to stop this, that enough is enough.
“The Armed Forces, the security agencies, the communities, private security agencies, wherever they are, they are contracted as long as they’re contracted by the Federal Government, we’re going to work together as a team.
“There’s not going to be any competition between us, and please, the media should stop making it look as if there’s a fight, there is no fight.”
In August 2023, a Navy gunboat, in collaboration with Tantita Security Services, apprehended the vessel MT PRAISEL in the waterways of Delta State.