A civil advocate group, the Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade, has faulted the Nigerian military for setting ablaze the vessel laden with stolen crude oil intercepted by operatives of the privately-contracted pipeline surveillance team, Tantita Security Services.
In a statement issued by its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Alaowei Cleric, and made available to journalists in Warri yesterday, the group said that the military lacked the constitutional rights to set ablaze an intercepted crude-laden vessel as it was done on Monday.
The statement titled: “Crude oil theft: Setting fire on the arrested vessel Is condemnable: We call for probe” noted that rather than resorting to setting the vessel ablaze, the military should have discharged the crude oil contents to the NNPC Limited and carry out further investigations into the matter.
The group also claimed that by burning the vessel, the military “has chosen to destroy the evidence of the alleged crime.”
The statement read partly, “The news making rounds on the airwaves that the vessel, MT Deima with International Maritime Organisation Number: 7210525 which was arrested by the brave and incorruptible workers of Tantita Security Services Limited was set on fire by the Nigerian security agents.
“We have been informed that Tompolo’s team workers, i.e Tantita Security Services workers who tracked and arrested the vessel, handed it to the Nigerian security agents with the crew onboard for investigation and possible prosecution.
“We are surprised that the military rather than discharging the contents to the NNPC Limited and arresting the vessel to carry out their investigation has chosen to destroy the evidence of the alleged crime.
“Those who destroyed the ship rather than using legal means to enforce the law, we believe have something they know. Nigerians were happy that a patriotic Nigerian in the person of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo has embarked on a suicidal mission to secure the nation’s economic assets. The security agents are supposed to be complementing the bold efforts of Tompolo by prosecuting those found wanting which includes confiscating the proceeds of crime to the Federal Government.
“How can the security agents effectively carry out their investigation on the vessel to prosecute those found wanting when the very sensitive and overwhelming evidence has been destroyed? If NNPC Limited and the security agencies want Nigerians to know the monster behind the mask then those security agents involved in burning the arrested vessel should be probed immediately. Let no stone be left unturned.
“It’s condemnable. One of the reasons why NNPC Limited has chosen to engage private companies to secure the pipelines is the environmental despoilation by the economic saboteurs. The security agents who destroyed that vessel have committed grave environmental degradation. NNPC Limited and the defense headquarters should call the military to order before they further abuse the environment with impunity. We will not hesitate to take remedial action against NNPC Limited and the security agencies should there be any repeat of this grievous act.
“Now that the operatives of Tantita Security Services Limited are seriously and courageously combing the creeks to arrest oil thieves, those culprits handed over to the security agents should be tried by the law. Destruction of proceeds of crime may sabotage Tompolo’s efforts in ridding the Niger Delta region of oil theft. NNPC Limited and the military hierarchy should therefore caution the security agents guiding the nation’s oil facilities in the region.”