Business is booming.

Tompolo security Outfit Discovers Another, Illegal Pipeline in Niger Delta

By Yemi Olakitan

With the discovery of yet another illegal pipeline used by oil thieves to syphon crude oil for export in Delta State by Tantita Security Services, run by the former leader of the disbanded MEND, Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, the federal government’s campaign against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism has achieved a significant victory.

This most recent development comes just one week after the security company uncovered the illegal, nine-year-old, four-kilometer crude oil pipeline connecting Forcados facility to the sea.

In the most recent discovery, an ExxonMobil pipeline that was abandoned at Ogulagha in the state’s Burutu Local Government Area was allegedly reconnected by oil thieves to load stolen crude oil into export tankers. The pipeline is one kilometre from the shore and four kilometres from the loading bay.

Captain Warredi Enisuo, a Marine Intelligence Consultant for Tantita Security Services Limited, stated the illicit pipeline was connected to the 48-inch Trans Forcados Export Trunkline when he discussed the discovery with press yesterday.

Enisuo also conducted the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s General Manager in charge of the Gas Development Division, Mr. Buduwara Zakariya, who represented the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Kyari and other officials around the scene of the incident.

Enisuo said: “The illegal pipeline was connected to another abandoned pipeline located within the vicinity which is owned by Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited.

“The perpetrators of this organised crime tapped into a Shell-operated 48-inch export line. So, the crude oil has been cleaned up and is ready for export. It is quite expensive. They tapped into it to siphon the crude oil.

“But technologically, they were able to connect their pipe underwater and we traced the line to the point where it was tapped,” he explained.

He noted that “though the oil field belonged to Agip, which has not been put into use for a long time, the oil thieves decided to export crude oil to a jacket by connecting theirs through a riser out into the jacket where they export the stolen crude oil.”

In his remarks, the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Limited, Mr. Kestin Pondi, said a lot of resources were put into tracking the illegal pipeline.

He warned oil thieves to steer clear of Tantita Security Services’ area of responsibility, noting that the Chairman of the firm, Ekpemupolo has zero tolerance for the menace of crude oil theft.

below content

Quality journalism costs money. Today, we’re asking that you support us to do more. Support our work by sending in your donations.

The donation can be made directly into NatureNews Account below

Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigeria

0609085876

NatureNews Online

Leave a comment

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More