Tantita Security Services Limited, owned by ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a Tompolo, has denied allegations of involvement in crude oil theft made against it by the Nigerian Navy, insisting that it was the Navy which has bad eggs sabotaging the fight against the menace.
The security company’s Executive Director of Technical Operations, Warredi Enisuoh, disclosed this while featuring on Arise News Channel’s breakfast programme – The Morning Show – monitored by our Correspondent.
Enisuoh said the Nigerian Navy has “judases” within its ranks who are sabotaging their efforts to combat oil theft.
He said, “Tantita’s relationship with the Navy has not broken down. If you listen to the Navy, they said they work with a lot of other private security service providers.
“But I guess it is a bit of a culture shock that maybe for the first time, they are working with someone like Tantita who has got such tenacity and capacity to do damage to those who want to do damage to Nigeria. We have Judas everywhere. We have Judas in the Navy.”
The accusations come amidst a strained relationship between Tompolo’s security firm and the Nigerian Navy. The two entities have clashed over operational jurisdiction and claims of interference.
Enisuoh refuted the Navy’s claim that Tantita was involved with a 77-meter-long tanker arrested for crude oil theft. He explained that they had been monitoring the ship since 2018 and followed it for over a month before eventually apprehending it.
He also revealed that the ship changed its flag from Sierra Leonean to Togolese and then to Nigerian in May 2023, implying connections to individuals who felt empowered to steal oil under the new administration.
Enisuoh further detailed Tantita’s intelligence gathering process, revealing they received information about the tanker’s departure from Ghana in November 2023. He claims they tracked the vessel’s movements and alerted the authorities upon confirmation of its involvement in oil theft.
He highlighted the suspicious flag changes the tanker underwent, starting with Sierra Leone, then Togo, and finally Nigeria in May 2023. Enisuoh questioned who was behind these changes, implying potential political influence.
While denying any direct involvement in the oil theft, Enisuoh acknowledged their presence near the tanker and called for further investigation. He believes the seized vessel holds crucial documents that could shed light on the broader network involved in illegal oil activities.
He said, “It must be connected to someone who thinks he has won and we can steal now. So, who was being protected? When we caught this particular ship, we followed it for over a month. We got intelligence that yes, that it is in the area and we left in the morning to make sure that we secure the ship.
“We got there but, on our way there, we got further intelligence that they have got four AK-47 with bands of ammunition on board. When we got that intel, we said to hang on around the area till we get back up.
“While waiting for that backup, we believe they radioed their shore supporters to come to their rescue and that was how the fracas started. It takes about 30 minutes to get to that location, secure yourself and connect the hose. As we speak, we know who connected the hose.”
