Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
Operatives of the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) have destroyed a large crude oil store operated by oil thieves in Awoye Community, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Capt. Warredi Enisuoh, Tantita’s Executive Director, Operations and Technical Services disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Warri.
Enisuoh said that the feat was achieved in collaboration with the operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday.
He said that the local large store was built on the Alowe sea shore in Ilaje Local Government Area.
Enisuoh said that the illegal structure that accommodated about 700 kegs filled with stolen crude oil amounting to about Twenty-one thousand litres was razed alongside the store.
Enisuoh also said that two wooden boats laden with crude oil belonging to the oil thieves were set ablaze.
“The Western corridor of Tantita, having received credible information about a local large store built by the oil thieves where they store crude oil and sell to local buyers.
“Tantita men in collaboration with the NSCDC operatives stormed the site on Sunday morning and destroyed the store and set everything ablaze
“Fortunately, we met 700 kegs filled with crude oil, amounting to 21,000 litres of crude oil.
“The whole kegs with the camp/ store was set ablaze. Also, two wooden boats filled with the crude oil were set ablaze,” he said.
Enisuoh said that the NSCDC was led by its Commandant in Ondo State, Idowu Asonja.
He said that no arrest was made stressing that the suspects took to their heels on sighting the security operatives.
Enisuoh, however, warned the community dwellers to desist from destroying or stealing the nation’s assets and support the fight against crude oil theft.