Navy dismisses Tompolo’s Tantita intelligence report

The Nigerian Navy has said the outcome of an investigation into the allegation of oil theft involving the Motor Tanker Praisel, showed that the allegation was totally wrong, unfounded, and mischievous.

The Management of Tantita Security Service operated by ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, had on Saturday raised suspicions over the vessel.

The security outfit noted that the vessel intercepted by its personnel ought to be sailing to Lagos and not Bonny, adding that the intelligence it gathered and the documents, including the naval clearance tendered by the master of the vessel, affirmed that Lagos was its destination.

Tantita was reacting to a statement by the Nigerian Navy on Friday which claimed that the vessel was duly approved by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to load 1,114,721 litres of High Pour Fuel Oil from Greenmac Energy Storage/Tarus Jetty Koko from July 26 to August 8.

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The Director Information Naval Headquarters, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan disclosed that this was contrary to the allegation of oil theft by the vessel in connivance with Nigerian Navy personnel.

However, in another statement on Sunday, Ayo-Vaughan noted that Tantita’s intelligence in respect to the vessel and its product was wrong.

He added that the issue reflected

the high-handedness and unprofessional conduct of the Tantita Security Service personnel.

The statement partly read, “As of Saturday 5 August 2023, the results of the laboratory analysis of the product onboard MT Praisel by all agencies including NMDPRA indicate that the product displayed properties consistent with Nigerian industrial standard specification for HPFO.

“This result, therefore proves that the allegation and suspicion were totally wrong, unfounded, and perhaps mischievous.

“The intelligence TSSL claimed to have received about the vessel and its product is equally wrong. This singular incident brings to the fore the high-handedness and unprofessional conduct of TSSL with its attendant negative consequences for the supplier and buyer of the product, the vessel hired to convey it, and other parties involved in the legitimate business.”