News
Tompolo’s Security Outfit Urges Navy To Stop Misinforming Nigerians
By Abubakar Yunusa
Tompolo’s outfit, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, has urged the Nigerian Navy of disseminating false and incomplete information regarding oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
According to the Nigerian Navy’s statement, “Following the arrest, the patrol team discovered that the four individuals were associated with a large wooden boat loaded with 11 x 1000L Geepee tanks containing suspected stolen crude oil. ”
In a statement released by the company on Friday, they stated that , “Our personnel were not involved in crude oil theft, as alleged by the Nigerian Navy. ”
The statement clarifies that, “The Nigerian Navy’s account is that in the early hours of August 29, 2023, Tantita operatives attempted to steal crude oil, which they claim to have thwarted. They assert that they responded to distress calls from youths in the Itolou Community in the Lekki axis of Lagos. Upon receiving this information, Naval patrol teams launched an immediate response operation.
“Upon arriving at the scene, the Naval team encountered four individuals dressed in black polo shirts with Tantita inscribed on the back, who were trying to recover a dismantled outboard engine from a local. The team recovered the engine and apprehended the four Tantita employees.
“What’s particularly intriguing is the disconnect between the outboard engine recovery incident and the sudden realization by the Navy patrol team that the four arrested individuals were part of a group operating a large wooden boat at sea carrying stolen crude oil. This inconsistency in the narrative is puzzling.
“On the contrary, this is what actually occurred: On Monday, the 28th of August 2023, at approximately 01:30 hours, a Tantita Security Services Patrol team operating in the Ondo State area received credible intelligence that a motorized wooden boat was illicitly loading crude oil from an offshore oil well jacket. In fact, it was the same well jacket in OML 110 operated by Cavendish Petroleum Nigeria Limited, where the MT TURA II was caught stealing crude oil a few months ago.
“There is video evidence of the Tantita team, along with NSCDC personnel, approaching the wooden boat, boarding it, and attempting to secure it.
“The video also depicts the Tantita crew’s efforts to secure the wooden boat, which was taking on water ‘possibly due to an attempt by the escaping crew to scuttle the boat; anyone who understands Yoruba can listen to the conversations’.
“Surprisingly, the fleeing crew of the motorized wooden boat headed in the direction of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base at Ibeju-Lekki. Consequently, the Tantita and NSCDC personnel pursued them, believing that the criminals would be apprehended there.
“Most importantly, where is the boat now? The boat can be clearly seen in the video provided below. Did the Nigerian Navy secure the boat? Can the Nigerian Navy explain the whereabouts of the motorized wooden boat? They were the last to be seen with the boat.
“The four-day detention and public display of Tantita staff by the Nigerian Navy as common criminals should be condemned by all conscientious members of society, especially at a time when our nation faces unparalleled revenue loss from its export-based economy.
“These family men risked their lives for the greater good of the nation and are now subjected to ridicule for doing the right thing. Such actions serve to demoralize honorable individuals who strive to improve our nation.
“As soon as these men were arrested, Tantita’s management reached out to the Nigerian Navy seeking clarification of the situation. For four days, the Navy claimed to be conducting an investigation and that the men would be released. We now have the results of their investigation in the form of this poorly-drafted press release.
“There are even more damning revelations, which, out of respect for the Navy’s hierarchy and national security concerns, we will refrain from disclosing in this newspaper. The continued detention of these five courageous and selfless Nigerians by the Nigerian Navy, who risked their lives on the high seas to protect our national wealth, is a disservice to our nation. ”
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Muahammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 has commended the developmental strides of Sokoto state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, just as he assured of the support of traditional institutions in the state.
Sultan who admonished other governor’s to also borrow a leaf from governor Ahmed Aliyu who ensures that resident communities enjoys equal benefit from everybody, added that, Nigerians should project what unites us moe than that which divides us.
“In Sokoto, we appreciate what the Governor is doing and we’d like to assure him of the support of the traditional institution so that he can continue the good work he’s doing of transforming our State.
“The Governor and our security agencies are doing their best and this has made the state to record tremendous improvement in the fight against banditry,” the Sultan averred.
While adding that governor Ahmed Aliyu deserves special commendation for the massive distribution of food items during the just-concluded Ramadan fast, Sultan urged Nigerians to always be law-abiding and desist from any act that may jeopardise the long lasting peace the country is enjoying.
Registering his displeasure over how the social media is been used negatively to promote and sow seed o discord, the Sultan said, some unpatriotic citizens use social media to spread falsehood, misinformation and provocative statements that can destroy the peaceful atmosphere the country is enjoying.
He, therefore, called on the security agencies in the country to be watchful of the unpatriotic citizens trying to create chaos in the land.
Speaking during his
Sallah homage on governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Lodge, Sokoto, Sultan
said, “”In Sokoto all Nigerians are treated as indigenes, an act that gives Nigerians residing in the State a sense of belonging.
Sultan equally stressed the need for for state governors to give much emphasis in protecting the lives and property of their subjects, describing security as the basis upon which all societies could progress.
Responding, governor Ahmed Aliyu reassured his administration’s determination to do everything humanly possible to make the state safe and secured.
He blamed unemployment especially among the youths as responsible for the insecurity being recorded in many parts of the country.
According to Aliyu, many youths have joined informants’ groups so as to be getting stipends to make ends meet.
“This administration has so far trained and graduated thousands of youths and women in different trades so as to make them productive members in the society.
” I want to assure you that we would soon embark on another massive skills acquisition programme to engage more unemployed youths in our modest attempt to reduce restiveness among our youths,” he vowed
Gov. Aliyu further reassured the people of the state that his administration would continue to prioritize Islamic affairs, adding that more Mosques and Islamiyya schools would continue to receive the desired attention from the state government.
He thanked the people of the state for their fervent prayers and support to his administration and called for it’s sustainance.
Sterling Bank has made a groundbreaking move by eliminating transfer charges on local transactions, aiming to create a more equitable banking experience for Nigerians. The question now arises: will other financial institutions follow this lead?
On April 1, Sterling Bank announced the removal of transfer fees for all local digital transactions, positioning itself as the first major bank in Nigeria to implement such a policy. Initially, the announcement faced skepticism, with many believing it to be an April Fools’ Day joke. However, Sterling has since reaffirmed the policy’s legitimacy and immediate implementation, signaling a significant evolution in the industry’s customer service approach.
Obinna Ukachukwu, the Growth Executive overseeing the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate, stated, “We believe that accessing your own funds should not incur a penalty. This decision transcends financial implications; it reflects our core values.”
With this new policy, Sterling customers can now make free transfers for all local transactions via the bank’s mobile app. This initiative is anticipated to yield considerable savings for individuals and small business owners who frequently engage in transfers.
“We may not be the largest bank in Nigeria, but we are certainly the most audacious,” Ukachukwu declared. “Sterling Bank is committed to the future of Nigeria, and we are backing our fellow citizens with more than just words.”
Sterling Bank has a history of prioritizing customer welfare, having previously offered financial assistance to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest initiative has garnered widespread public support, igniting conversations on social media and prompting calls for other banks to adopt similar practices.
“We take pride in leading this transformative change,” Ukachukwu concluded. “We hope to inspire others to rethink what customers truly require from their banks, not only in terms of services but also in values.”