Tantita Security Services, a specialised security outfit contracted by the Federal Government of Nigeria to guard oil pipelines against theft, bunkering, and allied hitches within the Niger Delta region, has absorbed itself of the allegations raised against it by the Nigerian Navy.
This is arising from a controversy that sprouted from the case of the arrest of an oil-bearing vessel within the coastal part of Ondo state by the bloc of the operatives of the Tantita Security Services Limited, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC).
In a twixt of event, however, the vessel accosted had naval personnel on board who were said to have fired shots to ward off the security operatives from accessing the vessel. The Navy, in a statement had alleged that the Tantita Security Services was involved in these illegality because Awoye riverine area which is close to the place of arrest is covered by operatives of Tantita, an allegation, which, in the words of Tantita spokesperson was mischievous and made to distract the public from the truth.
The statement released by Tantita and signed by Capt. Warredi Enisuoh,
Executive Director of Operations and Technical of the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a defamatory and libelous statement made by the Nigerian Navy against our organisation, Tantita Security Services Limited.
“In the statement made on Thursday the 7th of December, 2023 by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, he informed the general public that the Nigerians including Navy had detected and arrested a 77-meter-long motor tanker for crude oil theft with her 17-crew members.”
Tantita however expressed regrets over the manner the Nigerian Navy has attempted to vainly upturn the facts, saying: “He further added and we quote “it is believed that Tantita Security Services is involved in these illegalities because Awoye riverine area which is close to the place of arrest is covered by TSS. Again it was upon the arrest of the vessel by the Nigerian Navy that TSS began to raise false alarm, totally unfounded and indeed mischievous.”
“We are indeed saddened and disappointed that the Nigerian Navy could descend so low as to make such bizarre accusations against our organisation knowing the same to be false. Perhaps they are not aware that video evidence of what transpired between the Tantita operatives and the Nigerian Navy at the scene exists and has been transmitted to the highest authorities. We will therefore not join issues with the Nigerian Navy as we are well aware that Nigerians know who is who.” Tantita said.
