The allegation of involvement of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in an alleged oil theft incident by the Nigerian Navy has been described as bizarre and jejune which must have been cooked up to cover-up the truth.
The celebrated security outfit which has received widespread commendation for its efforts in combatting the menace of oil theft in the country debunked any involvement of its operatives in the incident while lampooning the Nigerian Navy for underestimating its operatives.
Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Tantita, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh, in a statement described the Navy’s claim as “defamatory and libelous”, adding that Tantita is saddened and disappointed that the Navy could descend so low as to make such bizarre accusations against his organization, knowing the same to false
The statement said: “The activities going on inside the Nigerian Navy’s FalconEye should be investigated as the ship was only a few kilometers off the coast of Ondo State, well within view of the Nigerian Navy’s FalconEye, but they never reacted”.
“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,” he added.
“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.”
It would be recalled that activities of Tantita and other security outfits have saved the country a whopping $43.2m from oil theft daily.
Recalled that on Thursday, December 7, 2023, the Nigerian Navy had disclosed that 17 people said to be engaged in the illegal siphoning of crude oil in Ondo State were nabbed aboard a 77-meter-long Motor Tanker (MT) VINNALARIS 1 Lagos.
Navy spokesperson, Commodore Adedotun Olukayode Ayo-Vaughan, disclosed in a statement, saying the suspects were nabbed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Igbokoda in the early hours of Thursday.
However, a day after, the Navy turned around to accuse Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) of complicity in the incident.