Are Naval personnel involved in illegal oil bunkering in Niger Delta?

By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi Ever since its discovery in 1956 in the Niger Delta region, precisely in Bayelsa State, crude oil has been the major backbone of the Nigerian economy, contributing the largest share to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is, however, unfortunate that damaging acts such as oil bunkering, oil theft and pipeline […]

By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

Ever since its discovery in 1956 in the Niger Delta region, precisely in Bayelsa State, crude oil has been the major backbone of the Nigerian economy, contributing the largest share to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is, however, unfortunate that damaging acts such as oil bunkering, oil theft and pipeline vandalism continue to threaten the sector, reducing its huge contribution to the national treasury because revenue inflow is adversely affected.

In order to stem the tide, the immediate past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari contracted Tantita Security Services Limited (TSS) for the protection of pipelines as well as other oil-related facilities around Niger Delta.

The general public and industry stakeholders have attested that Tantita Security is doing a good job guarding the facilities under their watch. The impact in evident in the sharp rise in the quantity of crude oil being produced daily in recent months.

In October this year, the Federal Government announced that Nigeria’s oil production had increased to about 1.7 million barrels per day, from the 1.1mbpd recorded in August 2023. The figure was in fact below 1mbpd as of May 2022.

Curiously, since the surveillance commenced, there have been different accusations and counteraccusations between Tantita Security and the Nigerian Navy over the identity of persons stealing crude and sabotaging normal maritime activities.

Just last week, another episode occurred amid heated counter-allegations after a large vessel was intercepted on the waters of Ondo State. A disturbing leaked video revealed alleged shady deals involving some personnel of the Navy.

A combined team of soldiers, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and operatives of Tantita Security discovered the vessel after it was spotted loading crude oil from a well head off the coast of Ondo.

The vessel reportedly had on board naval officers, who allegedly declined a request by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited that the tanker be moved to its jetty at Oporoza in Delta State for investigation.

The personnel, according to reports, claimed that they arrested the vessel and were transporting it to one of their bases; shots were said to have been fired to ward off other security operatives from any attempt to access the cargo ship.

The questions for military authorities: Did the Navy truly arrest that oil vessel? Why did they stop the government team from carrying out an inspection? What was the reason for firing shots despite the presence of NSCDC and NNPCL officials?

On the seized vessel in Ondo, Naval spokesperson, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, said the arrest was an action sequel to a tip off. He accused Tantita Security complicity in “illegalities”, saying the Awoye riverine area, near the location of arrest, is covered by the firm.

“The apprehension of the vessel was based on credible intelligence received by the Base on the illegal activities of crude oil thieves at the location which informed the swift deployment of FOB IGBOKODA personnel to enforce the arrest of the vessel and her crew.

“…It is believed that 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 was upon the arrest of the vessel by the Nigerian Navy that TSS began to raise false alarm, unfounded and mischievous,” Ayo-Vaughan noted.

The company, in its response, debunked the allegation it described as “libelous and defamatory”, and has demanded a thorough investigation by federal government in order to expose the saboteurs and those who might be sponsoring them.

“The activities going on inside the Nigerian Navy’s FalconEye should be investigated as the ship was only a few kilometres off the coast of Ondo State, well within view of the FalconEye, but they never reacted”, said Capt. Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director, Operations and Technical.

The Navy should know Nigerians are tired of blame games; what they want is the prosecution of economy wreckers. The Rear Admiral Patrick Effah-led Naval Intelligence Unit must gather credible information to tackle illegal oil bunkering in Niger Delta and safeguard our waters.

A diligent probe should be launched to fish out soldiers and elements conniving with criminals to perpetrate crimes capable of crippling nation’s economy. Until this is done, the public will continue to suspect Navy as an accomplice in crude oil theft.

Former Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd.) had hinted that unscrupulous personnel were assisting thieves on oil bunkering and theft. Now, many are eager to see the problem fixed under the current CNS, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.

Mukhtar, author of “National Security Strategies: A Young Writer’s Perspectives,” writes for PRNigeria’s Emergency Digest