Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
CENTRE for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (CHURAC) has condemned the burning of a thieving crude oil-laden MT Deima with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Number: 7210525 by operatives of the Nigerian Navy.
Stonix News had reported that the vessel was intercepted by operatives of Tantita Security Services Ltd (TSSL), on October 6 while siphoning crude oil from a trunkline in Warri River.
The operatives, now popularly called Tompolo Boys, also apprehended seven crew members who had not only confessed to the crime, but divulged more details on the crime.
But surprisingly, operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS DELTA), Warri, whom the vessel was handed over to by TSSL, on Monday October 10, set fire on the erring vessel as a deterrent to others.
However, CHURAC, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Alaowei Cleric, Esq., expressed shock that rather than discharging the content to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), the security agencies chose to destroy the obvious evidence against the perpetrators.
In destroying the vessel with its content, the group also argued that the security agencies had further despoiled the already polluted and endangered environment from which locals eke their living.
The group, therefore, called on the Defence Headquarters to call the security agencies to order before they further abuse the environment with impunity.
“The news making round the airwaves that the vessel, MT Deima with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Number: 7210525 which was arrested by the brave and incorruptible workers of Tantita Security Services Limited was set fire by the Nigerian security agents.
“We have been informed that Tompolo’s team workers, i.e Tantita Security Services workers who tracked and arrested the vessel, handed it to the Nigerian security agents with the crew onboard for investigation and possibly prosecution.
“We are surprised that the military rather than discharging the contents to the NNPCL and arrest the vessel to carry out their investigation has chosen to destroy the evidence of the alleged crime,” CHURAC averred.
According to the rights group, “those who destroyed the ship rather than using legal means to enforce the law … have something they know.
“Nigerians were happy that a patriotic Nigerian in the person of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo has embarked on a suicidal mission to secure the nation’s economic assets.
“The security agents are supposed to be complementing the bold efforts of Tompolo by prosecuting those found wanting which includes confiscating the proceeds of crime to the Federal Government.
“How can the security agents effectively carry out their investigation on the vessel to prosecute those found wanting when the very sensitive and overwhelming evidence has been destroyed?
“If NNPCL and the security agencies want Nigerians to know the monster behind the mask, then those security agents involved in burning the arrested vessel should be probed immediately. Let no stone be left unturned.
“It’s condemnable. One of the reasons why NNPCL has chosen to engage private companies to secure the pipelines is the environmental despoilation by the economic saboteurs.
“In fact, the security agents, who destroyed that vessel, has committed a grave environmental degradation.
“NNPCL and the defence headquarters should call the military to order before they further abuse the environment with impunity.
“We will not hesitate to take remedial action against NNPC Limited and the security agencies should there be any repeat of this grievous act.
“Now that the operatives of TSSL are seriously and courageously combing the creeks to arrest oil thieves, those culprits handed over to the security agents should be tried in accordance with the law.
“Destruction of proceeds of crime may sabotage Tompolo’s efforts in riding the Niger Delta region of oil theft.
“NNPCL and the military hierarchy should, therefore, caution the security agents guiding the nation’s oil facilities in the region.”