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Commitment to Achieving Over 2 Million BPD – Tantita
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) have garnered widespread praise following the nation’s crude oil production reaching 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd).
In a recent announcement, NNPCL’s board and management reported this achievement along with a rise in gas production, now at 7.4 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd).
Industry stakeholders have commended NNPCL and the private security firms tasked with protecting the nation’s economic interests, particularly Tantita, for this significant accomplishment. Tantita has been instrumental in combating crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, effectively driving oil thieves away from Nigeria’s coast and confiscating their illicit equipment.
Reports indicate that many oil thieves have abandoned their illegal activities due to the relentless efforts of Tantita’s security operatives stationed along the Niger Delta coastline. These collaborative initiatives with various state actors have played a pivotal role in the recent uptick in crude oil and gas production.
Tantita has implemented strict measures to deter oil theft, aiming to achieve a crude oil production target of 2 million bpd by the end of December in partnership with other industry stakeholders.
NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) highlighted this milestone during a press briefing, attributing the success to the directives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Kyari praised the Production War Room Team for their significant contributions to the production recovery process.
“The team has excelled in not only recovering production but also in elevating it to levels deemed acceptable by our shareholders, in alignment with the mandates from the President, the Honourable Minister, and the Board,” Kyari remarked.
Elaborating on the achievements of the Production War Room, Mr. Lawal Musa, Chief War Room Coordinator and Senior Business Adviser to the GCEO, noted that the production increase resulted from collaborative efforts with Joint Venture and Production Sharing Contract partners, the Office of the National Security Adviser, as well as various government and private security agencies.
He explained that the initiatives leading to this production recovery spanned the entire production chain, with security agencies closely monitoring pipelines. When the Production War Room was established on June 25, 2024, production stood at 1.430 mbpd; however, their swift interventions boosted it to 1.7 mbpd in August and now to 1.808 mbpd in November.
“We are optimistic that with this momentum and the active cooperation of all stakeholders, particularly regarding security, reaching 2 million bpd by year-end is achievable,” he added.
It is noteworthy that Chief Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, Chairman of TSSNL, recently pledged to enhance daily crude oil production and bolster national revenue during an award ceremony hosted by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
“I have a deep commitment to my country, Nigeria, and will do everything possible to ensure an increase in crude oil production,” Tompolo stated.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the recent achievement, Tompolo, through his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, reaffirmed Tantita’s dedication to meeting the 2 million bpd target by December, as directed by President Tinubu.
“This milestone was accomplished through the cooperative efforts of NNPCL, security forces, and Tantita, which has taken the lead in safeguarding oil pipelines in the Niger Delta. We are determined to reach the 2 million bpd mark before the year concludes, as mandated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Tompolo emphasized.
He assured that all necessary measures are being implemented to achieve this target, which would significantly enhance the Nigerian economy and increase government revenue, providing more resources for effective governance.
“New technologies are being deployed to monitor our facilities to prevent disruptions and halt the theft of Nigeria’s resources. We are committed to working diligently to elevate production to 2 million bpd and beyond by year-end, by God’s grace,” Tompolo concluded through Bebenimibo.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its operatives have intercepted an undeclared $1.1 million and 135,900 Saudi Riyals at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
In a statement on Thursday, Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS spokesperson, said the undeclared currencies were found concealed in packs of palm dates during a physical examination of the passenger’s luggage.
Maiwada noted that the passenger, who arrived from Saudi Arabia on a Saudi Airline flight No. SV401, was convicted after being charged in court and ordered to forfeit the foreign currencies.
“In line with established procedures, the suspect and the seized foreign currencies have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary legal action,” the statement reads.
“Subsequently, the court convicted the defendant as charged and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government in line with provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.”
The NCS spokesperson added that the seizure reflects customs’ commitment to enforcing monetary regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.
He urged travelers to comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations and ensure they declare their cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when traveling in or out of the country.
“Non-compliance with these regulations constitutes a violation of Nigerian law and attracts severe penalties. The service, therefore, urges the public to adhere strictly to these requirements to avoid legal consequences,” Maiwada said.
“Under the leadership of the comptroller-general of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, the service remains resolute in its enforcement efforts to combat smuggling, illicit financial transactions, and other transborder crimes.
“This latest seizure highlights the service’s unwavering dedication to protecting the nation’s economic interests and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.”
In a significant development, the Rivers State House of Assembly has officially launched an investigation into the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, amid serious allegations of age falsification.
The decision was made during a plenary session on Thursday, where lawmakers unanimously voted to invite the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct a thorough inquiry into these claims. This resolution, passed by a voice vote, underscores the assembly’s commitment to accountability and transparency in the judiciary.
As the investigation unfolds, details regarding the specific allegations and supporting evidence are anticipated to be released to the public. The DSS is expected to initiate its inquiry promptly, shedding light on this pressing issue.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
The Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of blogger, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), for “criminal defamation” of a Gospel Artist, Mercy Chinwo.
The magistrate ordered the Nigeria Police Force, together with other law enforcement agencies, to arrest VeryDarkMan and produce him to court to answer to the criminal allegations levelled against him.
Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the bench warrant on Thursday, March 13, 2025 when VeryDarkMan failed to appear before the magistrate followed a court summons on March 5, 2025 for him to do so.
Although lawyer to VeryDarkMan, Deji Adeyanju, appealed to the Magistrate to rethink the bench warrant and that he would personally produce his client in court, the Magistrate rejected the appeal and insisted that VeryDarkMan be produced in court by security agencies.
The bench warrant stemmed from alleged defamatory statements made by VDM on social media, accusing Chinwo of involvement in a contractual dispute and the purported diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
In support of her claims, Chinwo furnished the court with documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to substantiate that VDM’s allegations were not only entirely false but damning and injurious to her public image and reputation.
The complainant’s lawyers led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, Chinwo said the alleged actions of the defendant are contrary to Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.
Chinwo’s counsel had also dragged VDM before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking N1.1bn damages against the blogger.
The lawyer sought an order compelling VDM to delete, retract, and issue a public apology for all allegedly false and defamatory statements made against Chinwo and her brand.