By Austin Ogwuda
Four operatives of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, who were arrested for alleged involvement in oil theft by the Nigerian Navy have been cleared and released, according to media reports.
The affected Tantita staff the company, owned by Tompolo were released after the intensive investigation by the Nigerian Navy, outcome of which eventually proved that they were not culpable.
The suspects were released after it was discovered in the course of the investigation that their arrest was a “mistake”, so stated the report.
Management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited then went ahead to confirm the release of their arrested staff, describing the action as “unjustifiable, unwarranted and provocative”.
According to the Tantita management in confirming the release on Saturday 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.
“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”, stated Tantita.
Recall that Tantita had in the wake of the arrest of its personnel expressed their innocence, insisting that they were on the manhunt of suspected oil thieves when they were unjustly apprehended by the Naval personnel attached to the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Becroft.
The Town Hall Media is rather not enthused by the mere fact that the Tantita staff have been left off hook and the posturing by Tantita company itself succumbing to the the explanation from The Navy that it was a “mistake”.
In as much as The Town Hall Media is not holding brief for either Tantita or The Navy who admitted that they committed blunder in that circumstance, as a gate keeper it is important to look at the following points the incident, which was indeed avoidable, has engendered.
Point One:
Who hanged the theft toga on the Tantita staff?
As I said, this Reporter, is not supporting clandestine activities and therefore won’t stick his neck to defend any perpetration of illicit game played by either parties in the matter under consideration.Therefore the question that readily comes to mind is why the arrested staff were not profiled first of all before parading them before the world as “oil thieves fighting oil theft”?
Were the arrested staff deaf and dumb to the extent that they didn’t explain themselves at the point of arrest, by properly identifying selves as anti-oil theft Marshals.
Supposing they were shot at had it being that they resisted the arrest by bragging, well, you can’t arrest me, my company is fully licensed to pursue and arrest oil thieves and the so forth what could have happened. Can lost lives be brought back to life?That’s why security agents whether The Navy, Customs, Police etc, should apply caution, carry out preliminary investigations before rushing to the press to parade innocent people in the guise that we are working or made a ‘big’ catch. How many ‘big’ catches paraded in the past were prosecuted to logical conclusion.
Of the the so-called high profile cases was justice was served and served and within reasonable time?
Should oil thieves be allowed to sabotage the nation’s economy? Definitely no. Carry on but with all diligence.
Point Two:
Why was the so-called arrest made at the heat of Tompolo battling to get his license renewed amidst stiff opposition from the Cabal? What impression or message was being fed the public through the bizarre incident.
Was it the first time the Navy personnel on the high sea are meeting with their Tantita counterparts on the same voyage, the same mission: to stamp out oil theft, pipeline vandalization threatening Nigeria’s oil production quota.
Point Three:
Collateral damage: To say that collateral damage has not been done is to say that somebody somewhere is playing to the gallery, wants to sound ‘politically correct’ or just being economical with the truth.
Therefore, The Town Hall Media, Constitutionally empowered for agenda setting, hereby, recommending that beyond mere sorry for the mistake, The Navy, an arm of the Armed Forces sponsored by the tax prayers’ money, must pay compensation to Tantita especially to the arrested staff members paraded before the cameras.
In conclusion, it is incumbent upon Tantita too, to continue to live above board at all times to avoid the polluted opinion which that ill-fated “mistake” arrest was sending out until The Navy came and handed them (Tantita) a clean bill of health.
Congratulations Tantita for the quick redemption of your image.
I salute the courage of the Media, both the mainstream, Community newspapers, Television stations and Online publishing media outfits that went to town with the story of injustice, calling for quick intervention on the matter. It could have also be the other way round as nobody or individuals, corporate entities are above the law of the land or bound to thrive in illegalities of any kind.
Absolutely Not!
Aluta Continua!
