Hours after asking Nigerians to be vigilant against oil theft, suspected barons of illegal crude oil bunkering reportedly attacked a Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited team in the Ilaje town of the Trans-Forcados Western corridor in Ondo State late Sunday night.
However, TSSNL operatives, in partnership with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, mobilised and repelled the attack in the early hours of Monday, storming the Awoye community after receiving information about it.
During the subsequent melee, security personnel reportedly destroyed a big store built near the Alowe seashore in Ilaje Local Government Area by illicit crude oil bunkerers.
However, the arrested individuals reportedly escaped in their speed boats.
A statement issued by Tantita’s Executive Director, Operations and Technical Services, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri, Delta State on Monday morning noted that “Tantita operatives in Ondo State in collaboration with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ((NSCDC) stormed Awoye on Monday morning, having received comprehensive information about a large store built by the oil thieves, where they did store the adulterated crude oil selling same to local buyers.
“Tantita men in collaboration with the Nigerian Civil Defence, stormed the area this morning, to destroy it totally and set everything ablaze as appeared in the photos and video attached to this content.
“Some community guys attacked us but we chased them away through a full exchange of ammunition, kudos to the Nigerian civil defence.”
The statement also acknowledged the intervention as a successful operation.
“It is indeed a successful but stressful trip,” it said.
It also noted that the Tantita Commandant in Ondo State, Chief Idowu Asonja, while warning residents against playing the role of economic saboteurs remarked that “Government is our friend, ready to develop and transform our land with the aim to employ youths across the federation.
“Let’s support them and stop destroying their properties.”
The statement partly read, “Fortunately, we met 700 kegs filled with crude oil, which is tantamount to 21,000 litres of crude oil.
“The whole kegs with the camp/store was set ablaze.
“Also we met two wooden boats filled with the crude oil, and all were set ablaze.
“The surveillance patrol carried out by the Tantita Security men in collaboration with the NSCDC was led by the Tantita Commandant in Ondo State, Chief Idowu Asonja.
“Attached to this article are the pictures and true video coverages recorded from the scene of this Camp/Store.
“The Commandant, after the successful operation, warned the community dwellers to desist from destroying or stealing the nation’s source of income.
“He also urged and persuaded them to support the Tantita Security Services in this struggle of waging war against the oil thieves and destroyers of the Federal Government resources.
“Asonja asked them to shun any form of evil act that could provoke the government to take drastic action against them, warning them seriously against the pipeline vandalism, oil thefts and adulteration of national crude oil, because ‘Tantita Operation No Mercy’ is a crusade against the anti-government individuals, body or groups.”