Chris Awhawha
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) has attributed the successes recorded against crude oil theft and pipelines vandalism to the “collaboration and the support received from the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration,” stating that its “commitment and partnership have strengthened our resolve and amplified our impact”.
Tantita, a private firm operated by former freedom fighter, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, was contrated by Federal Government to complement protection of critical national assets in the Niger Delta and had made landmark achievements in its mandate areas.
Managing Director of TSSNL, High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi, while speaking at the firm’s 2024 Award Night, in Warri, Delta State, Sunday, disclosing that the firm had in two years, discovered 3,963 cases of oil theft and pipelines vandalism.
Pondi hailed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as well as government security agencies, stating “your dedication to eradicate oil theft and vandalism has emboldened us to achieve milestones that were once thought unattainable”.
He also remembered those who lost their lives in the course of the war against crude oil theft, positing that rapid increase in crude oil production showed that their deaths were not in vain and that they would continue to be remembered for paying the supreme sacrifice in the interest of the nation.
“We (Tantita) won’t be where we are today if not for the unparalleled support and encouragement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, all arms of the security agencies and our various communities in the Niger Delta. We are eternally grateful to Mr. President, NSA, security agencies and our communities.
“We must also recognise the roles played by our fallen heroes, I mean our workers and other stakeholders who lost their lives in the course of the struggle to totally eliminate crude oil theft in the nooks and crannies of the Niger Delta. They would not die in vain and indeed, the steady increase in crude oil production has shown that they didn’t die in vain,” Pondi stated.
He emphasized that the event was not merely to celebrate achievements, but to reflect on the past journey, stating thus: “This battle is not just about protecting the nation’s oil and gas infrastructures, it is a mission to secure the economic future of Nigeria. At Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, we have embraced this responsibility with unwavering resolve, and I am proud to say we are making significant strides in this fight.
“Before the advent of the Industry wide Security architecture called Operation Plug as established by the Board of NNPC E&P, under the distinguish leadership of Mele Kolo Kiari in 2022, crude oil losses measured 36.69 million barrels, with daily production output of about 800,000–900,000 bpd. It was a dark time for the industry and the country at large.
“In less than two years, of the engagement of Tantita, the results were astounding as the report from NEITI (Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) and NUPRC (Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission) for the year 2023 (January to December 2023) shows very significant reduction of oil losses from 36.69 million barrels in 2022 to 7.68 million barrels, reflecting a whopping 79% decrease compared to the previous year”.
Speaking on the discoveries made, the Tantita MD said, “in the span of Tantita’s operations within these years (August 2022 – November 2024) the contribution of Tantita’s workforce, who have shown unparalleled commitment in the fight against crude oil theft discovered a total of 3,963 incidents captured on IMRA.
“Out of these numbers, 702 were illegal connection points, 971 were cases of theft, 1,784 were illegal refinery cases involving the destruction of 3,063 (as some of the IR were in a cluster, having more than one Train), and 204 cases of Aversion/Deterrent.
“It is also worth noting that within this same period of intense work, Tantita Team apprehended 8 vessels, (3) Tugboats and 6 Barges, 117 Vehicles, 52 Tanker Trucks, 47 Fibre/Speed boats, 7 tricycle/motocycles and 1,743 wooden boats involved in illegal operations.
“While it will be exhausting to highlight every details of our journey to curtail the scourge of oil theft, a whole lot of other discoveries have been made by our team that has subsumed the scourge of oil theft as either a crime of need or that of greed”.
Commending the entire Tantita team for being team players, Pondi charged them on the task ahead which “will require even greater effort, but together, with the support of the government and the strength of our united team, there is no challenge we cannot overcome”.