By IN what appears as another major feat in the fight against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, a major illegal oil crude loading point has been intercepted at the Cawthorne Channel Flow Station.
Stonix News reports that Cawthorne Channels Flow Station, located in the Bonny axis of Rivers State, is operated by Sahara Energy.
It was hitherto operated by Eroton Exploration and Production Company Limited.
Already, an oil barge, AGS 01 with an unnamed wooden boat being used for the operation, has been impounded.
No security agency of the government and private surveillance security companies have claimed responsibility for the feat.
Findings revealed that the feat was achieved at the weekend by the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) operated by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo).
Credible sources in the military circles said operatives of TSSNL punctured the illegal act.
A source hinted that the operatives of TSSNL on normal patrol were attracted to the scene as illegal oil operators gathered within the vicinity of the Cawthorne Channels Flow Station.
As of the time of filing the report, top officials of TSSNL were unavailable to confirm the report.
However, pictures and video clips from the scenes showed the operatives of the award-winning TSSNL on top of the seized barge, wooden boat and a tug boat named MV AMS 02.
A hose was sighted being used to siphon crude oil from the barge into the wooden boat.
The identities of the crew members of the illegal bunkering facilities were yet to be revealed.
But officials of TSSNL were sighted ordering the suspected oil thieves to vacate the scene..
Meanwhile, some stakeholders in the oil industry have expressed dismay about the latest development, especially with the presence of the military personnel at Cawthorne Channels Flow Station.
“The presence of a wooden boat stored with crude oil and its hatches opened speaks volumes.
“This is an obviously crude oil theft syndicate backed and encouraged by the unscrupulous military establishment, officials of oil company and those of the state-owned Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
“A lot of questions are begging for answers in the unfolding scenario.
“The germane one is when have we come to the worrisome stage in the oil industry when a wooden boat is being used to lift crude oil on behalf of NNPCL or is it that the operatives of TSSNL sighted on top of the seized oil equipment were also aiding and abetting the illegal act?
“Or is it that Tantita has recorded another feat? If it’s so, it means its efforts should be commended by the government and indeed all Nigerians,” added one of the sources.
The management of TSSNL could not be reached to confirm the involvement of its operatives in the discovery of the bunkering site.
The company’s Managing Director, Engineer Keston Pondi and Executive Director, Operations/Technical Services, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, could not be reached for reaction.
Also, when contacted, the company’s spokesman, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, has yet to respond.
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