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By Ejiro Nesisa
Following the outcome of the intensive investigation carried by the Navy over alleged oil theft where four officials of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) were reportedly arrested by the Nigerian Navy (NN), the four officials have been cleared and released. Reliable sources in TANTITA confirmed their (four officials) release was on Saturday which goes a long way to vindicated their employers.
Their(Tantita’s officials ) freedom was sequel to their(NN’s ) findings that they (Tantita’s officials) were not culpable as their arrest was made by NN in error in this direction. It was learnt that the Naval authorities prevailed on their Police counterpart to free the suspects for “want of satisfactory evidence to prosecute them.”
The suspects who were earlier handed over to the Police by the Navy, were released when the authorities at the Naval Headquarters were convinced in the course of the investigation that their arrest was a mistake
The Tantita’s Management, which protested the fate of its personnel, described the action as unjustifiable, unwarranted and provocative adding that, the action smacks off blackmail and intimidation and therefore demand their immediate release. .
It said:”Our personnel, who were unlawfully arrested for trumped-up allegations of illegal oil theft along Lagos Waterways have been freed and released to re-unite with us. The Navy, upon outcome of thorough investigations directed the Police to release them”. As Tantita stated initially:”,Our men were on legitimate duties when they were unlawfully arrested.”
Recall that Tantita had in the wake of the arrest of its personnel, expressed their innocence, saying that, they were on the manhunt of the oil thieves when they were unjustly apprehended by the Naval personnel attached to the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Becroft..
The Souce said Tantita said it would continue to partner with the Navy to rid the country of oil theft. It said:”We are happy that common sense eventually prevailed and our men were left off the hook. This gesture by the Navy will foster and engender good working relationship to pursue common goals of eradicating crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Tantita and Navy are now partners in progress and henceforth, we will operate in synergy to turn the heat on illegal oil operators in every part of the oil producing areas and creeks of the Niger Delta region,” added Tantita, a reliable Source added.
Recall that NN had on April 29th claimed that it has arrested four operatives of TSSNL at New Ikotun Community, Lekki, Lagos, for attempted oil theft.