The Nigerian Navy has accused private security company Tantita Security Service, TSS of collaborating with Oil thieves.
This accusation follows the arrest of a 77-meter-long Motor Tanker (MT) VINNALARIS 1 by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, IGBOKODA in Ondo State. According to the Nigerian Navy, the Vessel had 17 crew members onboard at the time of arrest and was caught engaging in illegal siphoning of crude oil from one of the well heads at EBESAN oil field about 7 nautical miles off the coast of Awoye riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The Navy claims Tantita Security Service is involved in these illegalities because Awoye riverine area which is close to the place of arrest is covered by TSS. It also says, it was upon the arrest of the vessel by the Nigerian Navy that TSS began to raise false alarm, totally unfounded and indeed mischievous.
Tantita is a private company contracted by the NNPCL to help secure Nigeria’s oil assets.