Navy arrests 4 Tompolo’s men over oil theft in Lagos

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship NNS BEECROFT stationed at Forward Operating Base, Lekki, have arrested four operatives of a security firm, Tantita for attempted oil theft on the waterways near Itolu community, Lekki, in Lagos State.

Tantita is a private security firm owned by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, who was contracted by the Federal Government to protect oil pipelines.

Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, in a statement on Wednesday said the incident occurred in the early hours of 29 August 2023, when local youths reported gunshots in the vicinity of the community.

According to him, after receiving the information, naval patrol teams immediately launched a response operation.

He said, “Upon arrival at the scene, the naval team met four individuals dressed in black polo shirts with TANTITA inscribed on the back, trying to recover a dismantled outboard engine from a local.

“The team recovered the engine and apprehended the four Tantita employees. It was after this arrest that the Patrol Team realized that the four individuals are part of a movement of a large wooden boat with two fiber boats.

“The four arrested individuals beckoned on the two fiber boats to approach them but when they noticed NN patrol teams, the boats fled away and abandoned the large wooden boat laden with 11 x 1000Litres Geepee tanks with product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

“The arrested individuals have been identified as Asonja Goddey (28), Obajimi Oluwaseyifunmi (38), Awoowo Aribo (35), and Oluwadaisi Balogun (40), all hailing from Igbokoda in Ondo State. The owner of the boat they were trying to forcibly employ, Ishola Ojubuyi (42), was also taken into custody.”

Commodore Oguntuga said the Nigerian Navy has initiated an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident particularly the possession of firearms used in the community, economic sabotage and how the product came from Ondo State to Lagos State as well as attempting to steal a boat engine from the locals.

He said one Mr Owoyele Omotuyi who was identified as a Tantita staff and came to secure release of the 4 apprehended, claiming they are Tantita employees was also arrested.

“All suspects along with the confiscated exhibits, will be handed over to appropriate agencies for further necessary action and prosecution.

” The Nigerian Navy under the watch of Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, remains resolute towards ensuring the maritime environment is conducive for legitimate businesses necessary for economic prosperity of the nation, ” he said.