False Allegation Against Tantita Security: Akpodubakaye Urges Tinubu to Ignore Antics of Criminals, Oil Thieves
By Ezekiel Kagbala
An Ijaw leader and immediate past vice chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Area in Delta State, High Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to "ignore the antics of oil thieves and criminals masquerading as community representatives".
Akpodubakaye, who is the Uwanguwe of the Isaba Kingdom in Warri South West LGA, made the call in a signed statement, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Wednesday.
He described as "a false alarm" a protest letter purportedly issued by a group which tagged itself Concerned Itsekiri Communities Organization and signed by an Itsekiri chieftain, Robinson Ariyo, accusing Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) of stockpiling small, medium and heavy firearms.
Akpodubakaye while berating the sponsors insisted that the alarm was merely aimed at "diverting attention from their unholy and unacceptable antics" just as he maintained that the allegations were ‘baseless, false and scandalous’.
"They were dubiously conducted by mischief-making people for the purpose of creating disaffection and use them as a weapon to undermine the peace process in Nigeria’s oil industry and the region", he stated.
Akpodubakaye further stated,
"The Itsekiri mercenaries should accept the fact that they can no longer plunge the mentioned areas into the dark old days as President Tinubu knows that Tantita Security Company carries out its activities and operations with strong collaboration with security personnel, government and agents.
"The baseless allegations by some narrow-minded Itsekiris who are envious of the unprecedented achievements of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a private company owned by Niger Delta leader, Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as ‘Tompolo’ is inimical to the common good of the country.
"The sponsors are resorting to this false accusation against Tantita to divert attention from their unholy and unacceptable antics. They should apologize or face the consequences of their nefarious deeds".
Continuing, Akpodubakaye acknowledged "the environmental benefits of Tantita’s work" noting that the security surveillance firm has succeed in the restoration of aquatic life and revival of agricultural and fishing industries in the Niger Delta region.
He then declared that "The nonexistent and undocumented members of Concerned Itsekiri Communities Organization as they claimed are only seeking undue attention. It is a common knowledge that Warri North, Warri South-West and Warri South Local Government Area of Delta are now experiencing a breath of clean and fresh air due the Tantita's crackdown of illegal Oil bunkering that once destroyed the entire environment.
"The Itsekiri mercenaries should accept the fact that they can no longer plunge the mentioned areas into the dark old days as President Tinubu knows that Tantita Security Company carries out its activities and operations with strong collaboration with security personnel, government and agents. The environmental benefits of Tantita’s work, including the restoration of aquatic life and a revival of agricultural and fishing industries in the Niger Delta region.
"The surveillance firm has made significant contributions to improving security in the region. Detractors are warned to stop sabotaging in the fight against crude oil theft in the country.
“There is nothing like proliferation of small, medium and heavy arms in the hands of private actors in Warri Coastal Areas and surrounding communities. Rather, the Tantita Security has made it positive for sea piracy, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities to stop".
