Security
Tantita security alleges sabotage in fight against crude oil theft
Dr Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), has alleged sabotage in the fight against crude oil theft in the country.
Ekpemupolo stated this when he played host to the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Tuesday in Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the national leadership of the NBA was led on the visit by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN).
He alleged that recently some persons attacked some of his staff while they were arresting oil thieves on the Port-Harcourt creeks.
Tompolo appealed to the NBA to rise to the situation and save the country from its current economic crisis.
He said that government may not have enough funds to run her institutions, hence the need for all hands to be on deck.
“The NBA has a duty to play in this present situation because if we are not careful in this country, we will not have money to do any reasonable thing.
“We are going to do our part locally, but you are there at the top. If we arrest today, lawyers will appear on both sides. My appeal is that you need to help us,” he said.
Tompolo said that he had stepped on many toes in the cause of the ongoing onslaught against crude oil theft, adding that he has become a target of revenge.
“In the course of this surveillance, we have stepped on so many toes of people over there in Lagos and Abuja.
“After my court cases, I cannot travel anywhere, if I must travel, I have to go with two or three security personnel,”he said
The leadership of the NBA had earlier visited the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom, Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba in his palace.
Earlier, Osigwe expressed joy over the recent announcement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) that oil production had risen to 1.8 million barrels per day.
He said that Gbaramatu Kingdom plays host to TSSNL which has been working with the NNPCL and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“If the oil production keeps going up, it will benefit all of us and government will be able to provide for the needs of the people
“However, there is a need to stem the theft of our commonwealth from some individuals.
“The fight against oil theft is more desirable now more than ever before, because Nigeria is borrowing so much to fund its budget,” he said.
Osigwe said that the essence of the visit was to assess the oil-producing community, and ascertain the level of hardship faced by the residents.
“First to get first-hand knowledge of how this battle has been fought and what the challenges and approach are.
“Tantita has done a lot of good work on the issues of pipeline protection and oil theft. We thought that it would be a good place for us to come.
Osigwe said that NBA was interested in the issues of oil theft coupled with the effects of environmental pollution and degradation resulting from oil exploration.
According to him, the communities that bear the pains of the nation’s oil wealth do not enjoy the wealth compared to others get.
Responding, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba called on the Federal Government to provide infrastructure in the oil-producing communities.
“Presently, government is far from us. It should come closer to us and do the needful for us to reciprocate,” he said.
The traditional ruler specifically called for the establishment of a Magistrate Court in Gbaramatu kingdom.
He said that Gbaramatu stood for peace and will continue to stand for peace in the Niger Delta region.
NAN reports that TSSNL is a private pipeline security outfit engaged by the Federal Government to protect its pipeline assets(NAN)
Residents of Otukpo in Benue south district have staged a protest against the incessant cases of kidnappings and killings by suspected herdsmen.
The Tuesday demonstration saw protesters, mostly youths, occupy the Otukpo-Enugu federal highway, calling on the government to address the growing insecurity in the state.
There has been a surge in cases of killings and kidnappings allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen in several LGAs in Benue state.
When contacted, Catherine Anene, the police spokesperson in the state, told TheCable that the protest was brought under control by security operatives.
“The protest is under control at the moment; we would let you know as soon as there is further information,” Anene said.
On March 10, 13 people, including women and children, were reportedly killed in an attack by suspected herdsmen on Katsina Ala LGA of the state.
The gunmen were said to have attacked several communities, including Utange council, Kpav, Dikpo, and the Imande Gberihwa area of the state.
The Takum Renaissance Forum(TRF)has condemned a press release issue by STYCOP headed by Rikwensi Muri associating’s increasing surge in insecurity and unrest in Southern Taraba to former Takum local government chairman Shiban Tikari.
In a statement issue by the group secretary Emmanuel Joro, it says for the avoidance of doubt, they wouldn’t have dabbled into the issue, but for the sake of records, they’ve chosen to react.
In Muri’s press release which states that “We must also remember the actions of Hon. Shiban Tikari, former chairman of Takum Local Government Council, who similarly exploited the “Tiv Militias,” “Kuteb Militias,” and “Fulani Militias” narrative to destabilize the region”.
The Group responded by saying “It is on records that Hon. Shiban stabilized the atmosphere of Takum and environs during his tenure. His administration was not marred by state-sponsored kidnappings, murders and sacking of more than 100 communities by mercenary bandits brought against the Kuteb communities as claimed by Rikwensi Muri, in his usual false accusations. Muri and his co-travellers are the same ones who were bent on throwing Takum and Ussa communities into the pool of crisis. Everybody knew it. Fulani herdsmen were said to have paid millions to their kuteb Chiefs before being given permission to bring their cows to graze in ussa LGA. Muri is quiet about it.”
The group further stated that the former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku agreed to compensate the herders on the lost of their cows to stop attacking Kuteb communities, but instead after the money had come to their possession for compensation to be paid to the Fulani, it was diverted. They instead opted for the money to be used for arms procurement to fight the Fulani herdsmen.
“Why are the likes of Muri and their cohorts, who wanted war with Fulani and called for it, still turning around to blame Gov DDI led administration alongside the then chairmen of Takum and Wukari for their woes”?
“It’s good to note that we are above media trials and other sensational lies to curry public sympathy. Muri has been attacking the image of the Governor of Taraba state, Dr Agbu Kefas and other notable personalities in the state like our fathers, Gen TY Danjuma and the Aku Uka, The Chief of Takum and other notable personalities, but we are not beginning to take this as an exception. Muri’s height of media rascality is a charade taken far”.
“Of all these, none of us or even the authority have chosen to arrest him for defamation. Why? Because of his lunatic approaches and the cheap relevance he is looking for, we can’t give him. The public is always aware of his sponsors and where he is driving. But we repeat, with exception, if he decides to take this further because at hand, we are beginning to gather his incisive and inflammatory posts for litigation against him in court” the statement reads.
The group further highlights that Muri press Release is to incite the gullible public against Hon. Shiban over lies and fabrication of falsehood and also maliciously attacking the present chairman of Wukari local government, Hon Agbu Samaila “having known that the attackers of those innocent KYK members of CRCN in Jootar were Tiv militia, those he has been calling for coalition with”.
The group defend that Hon. Shiban Tikari has never been on the run, but in his hometown in Takum. And the media trial being stage-managed by Muri to demean his image has long fallen.
“We are therefore calling on the general public to be wary with the activities of the so-called STYCOP being handled by Muri. It is not a peace building organization as being peddled but an organization aimed at stirring chaos in the southern part of Taraba state. It is a potential terrorist breeding camp”.
President Bola Tinubu has given marching orders to security agencies to fish out those behind the killing of some travellers in Edo State.
The victims, who were said to be travelling from Port Harcourt to the northern part of Nigeria, were allegedly killed by a mob in Uromi, Edo State, on Thursday.
While reacting to the incident, President Bola Tinubu described it as dastardly.
“The President, who expressed shock at the dastardly act on Thursday, directed Police and other security agencies to conduct swift and thorough investigations and punish the suspected culprits,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Friday.
The President noted that jungle justice has no place in Nigeria, and all Nigerians have the freedom to move freely in any part of the country.
Tinubu condoled with the families of the affected people and assured them “that criminals would not be allowed to shed the blood of innocent Nigerians in vain”.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has visited the community, condemning the killing of the travellers.
The governor described the incident as barbaric, according to a statement from his spokesman Fred Itua, and ordered a full-scale investigation into the killing.
“The Governor directed the State Police Command and other security agencies to conduct thorough and speedy investigations into the matter and bring those found culpable to book. He also charged the community to work with the security agencies to fish out the culprits,” Itua said in a statement on Friday
“Governor Okpebholo also commended community leaders, especially the leadership of Arewa community in the area, for deescalating tensions and handling the situation with restrain.”
The governor promised justice for the victims and maintained that there is “no excuse for the vigilante members to take the law into their hands without recourse to statutory law enforcement agencies”.