The Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has dismissed allegations and a video making the round that the Security outfit used the military to invade Igbomotoru community in Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa state.
Great Joshua Maciver, the Bayelsa State Coordinator of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, made the clarification in a Press Statement titled “Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited’s Response to Misleading Claims by the Caretaker Chairman of Southern Ijaw LGA, Lucky Okodeh.”
Reacting to the publication made by the Southen Ijaw LGA Caretaker Chairman, Mr Lucky Okodeh, Great Joshua MacIver noted that the presence of the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) during the operations of Tantita is not intended to intimidate law-abiding citizens.
Tantita Security Services Limited, Bayelsa operations described the publication made by the Caretaker Chairman of Southern Ijaw LGA as “unnecessary and not born out of Goodwill”.
Great Joshua MacIver, further noted that Tantita is a private security company and does not possess the authority to order federal forces but rather to help provide credible intelligence for security agencies to tackle illegal bunkering and to reduce environmental degradation in the region.
The Bayelsa state Coordinator called on indigenes of Igbomotoru community to go about their lawful activities, noting that the operations of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has significantly increased revenue allocation for oil-producing states and local government areas, including Southern Ijaw LGA, and that its operations are not intended to witch-hunt anyone.
The statement said “Contrary to unfounded allegations made in a recent publication by Mr Lucky Okodeh, CTC, SILGA and a video making the rounds on social media of an allege invasion of Igbomotoru community by Tantita Security Services using the military, it is imperative to state emphatically that Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited is a private security and surveillance company working collaboratively with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd and various security agencies including the Navy, Army, NSCDC, NPF, etc., to combat crude oil theft and illicit bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region.
“It is also pertinent to emphasize that the rate of crude oil theft in Nigeria has significantly reduced due to the operations of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. This has resulted in an upsurge in the Nation’s crude oil production, from its all-time low of 972,000 barrels per day in August 2022 to the current 1.7 million barrels per day production.
“The gains made in the Nation’s crude oil production have translated into increased revenue allocation for oil-producing local government areas and States, including Southern Ijaw LGA. Ideally, one would have expected commendations for the positive impact of Tantita’s operations in the region’s economic landscape.
“However, the recent publication from the Caretaker Chairman and the video making the rounds, of a supposed protest carried out by mischievous elements to bring the operations of Tantita Security Services to disrepute, what the organizers fail to acknowledge is that Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, as a private security company, does not possess the authority to order federal forces but rather provide credible intelligence to guide federal forces in combating illegal bunkering activities.
“It is important to state clearly that the presence of the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps in our operations is not intended to intimidate law-abiding citizens going about their lawful businesses. Also that the gunboats were not stationed at Igbomotoru Community alone, but to all strategic routes used by these illegal crude oil bunkers to transport their illicit crude oil products, such as Azuzuama, Tebidaba-Okoron, Lasukugbene, Lagosgbene amongst other communities.
“Furthermore, during the flag-off operation of Igbomotoru camp which took place on the 14th of October 2022 by the State Coordinator, Great Joshua MacIver, along with the incumbent Caretaker Chairman Honourable Lucky Okodeh in company of the various security agencies, the entourage was welcomed to a warmth reception by the Community members. The CTC Chairman during that visit enjoined the community leadership to work with the surveillance company and the various security agencies and its apparatus in place, stating that their presence in the town was not to take away their means of livelihood but to better the lot of all and sundry in the course of their operations. The company along with the military have carried on with their responsibilities without any report of violence, harassment or intimidation of any kind from 2022 up until this moment.
“The big question begging for answer is what has suddenly changed that warrants the recent media onslaught?
“To what gallery is the CTC chairman playing to?
“As we beckon for answers to the above fundamental questions, we wish to state categorically that the call by the Caretaker Chairman of Silga is totally unnecessary and not born out of goodwill, as it overlooks the collaborative efforts required to address security breaches common within riverine communities and environmental degradation associated with illegal bunkering activities. As a responsible private security company, we anticipate the cooperation of local government authorities in fostering a secure environment for all residents.
“On the issue of political intimidation, Great Joshua MacIver who has always displayed a peaceful disposition before, during and after the election would not witch-hunt anyone for political reasons. The promoters of this campaign of calumny should also be aware that only those culpable of illegal crude oil mining activities are targeted for arrest and possible prosecution and no amount of blackmail or show of shame as is in this case will deter the robust collaboration between the surveillance company and the apparatus of state.
“Indigenes of Igbomotoru Community are advised to go about their lawful duties as the military is only on ground to safeguard federal assets and by extension lives and properties in the area.
“Conclusively, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicate illegal bunkering activities across Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta Region,” the statement read.
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