NNPC destroys alleged illegal filling station, barge uncovered by Tompolo’s firm
by Ebor Cletus Ralph Jr
A filling station and barge that are purportedly operating illegally in Opete, Udu local government area of Delta state have reportedly been found by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a company headed by former militant commander Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.
The barge, which was detained in the vicinity of Asugbo along the Excravos river, was reportedly a non-ocean going tanker meant to transport crude oil and processed products in inland and coastal waters.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and security personnel reportedly checked over the filling station and barge on Sunday.
Two suspects were given up to security personnel during the inspection headed by General Manager of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Aliyu Zarah, who also allegedly set fire to the barge and wrecked the filling station.
Additionally, it was learned that a group from NNPC Limited, headed by Mr. Aliyu Zarah, General Manager of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, had travelled from Abuja to observe the transfer of several platforms and facilities utilised for illicit bunkering operations that had been apprehended.
The reports stated that the delegation was received by the Commanding officer 3 Battalion, Rear, Major I.H. Liman and executives of Tantita security services Nigeria limited, who proceeded to Opete community in Udu local government area, Delta State to inspect a filling station discovered to be used for illegal bunkering.
On arrival, the team was briefed by the Technical Director of Tantita, Warredi Enisuoh on the details of the discovery, after which a bulldozer was mobilized to commence demolition of the filling station while troops provided security cover for the exercise.
The delegation from NNPC, Tantita, and the security operatives also proceeded to Asugbo general area along Excravos river to inspect a non-propelled barge arrested independently by Tantita security services limited.
It was revealed that two suspects were arrested with the barge.
Recall that in October, Tompolo’s men had discovered an illegal pipeline connected to a 48-inch Trans Forcados Export Trunk line in Delta State.
The pipeline was discovered near a military post in the Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State few days after the surveillance team uncovered an illegal 4-kilometre pipeline connected from the Trans Escravos line into the sea.
