The war against crude oil theft gathered a boost as operatives of Tantita Security Services Limited have against intercepted another vessel in Delta State.

It was gathered that the seizure was made possible in collaboration with operatives of the Nigerian Navy.

Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSNL) owned by former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, was contracted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to protect pipelines from vandalisation.

While the authorities yet to brief journalists on the latest seizure, the vessel MT Harbour Spirit, with IMO No. 8226272, is anchored at the Tantita facility in Oporoza, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The latest seizure comes barely a month after the naval authorities apprehended a vessel involved in crude oil theft in Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the 77-meter-long Motor Tanker (MT) VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS was arrested on December 7.

Ayo-Vaughan said the vessel, which had 17 crew members onboard at the time of arrest, was caught engaging in illegal siphoning of crude oil from one of the well heads at EBESAN oil field about 7 nautical miles off the coast of Awoye riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo state.

Oil theft has had negative impact on the country’s economy and has been a source of concern to the Nigerian government over the years.

Worried by the activities of economic saboteurs, the Federal Government awarded a pipeline surveillance contract last August. The contract, reportedly worth N48 billion per year (N4 billion per month), was awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited to tackle the issue in the region.

Despite some successes recorded by the private security outfit, security company has recorded several successes, especially during joint operations with the Nigerian military, oil theft has not been completely eradicated.