MT Vinnalaris Operating Illegally In Nigeria's Waters For Past5 Years- Tantita

FIDELIS UGBOMEH

Head of Technical and Operations, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, has given fresh revelation on the 77meters Motor Tanker, MT Vinnalaris, which was arrested by the Nigerian Navy on December 7, 2023, saying, the vessel has been operating illegally on Nigeria's waters for the past 5 years.

He also disclosed that the Motor Tanker had changed its name four times in the last five years of its operation in Nigeria flagging first as Sierra Leonean in 2018.

Speaking on the "Morning Show" on Arise Television Enisuoh noted that Tantita had gotten Intelligence report on November 10, 2023 that the ship was departing Ghana into Nigeria with the intention to steal oil.

"The ship started stealing oil from Nigeria in 2018. We weren't present at that time. It departed Ghana with the intention to come and steal crude oil in Nigeria. This was around November 10, this year. We knew about it. We knew the ship is well-connected and we followed the ship till it switched off its electronic signature about three weeks ago.

"We had to create an umbrella over the Niger Delta region. And we kept monitoring. And let me tell you the history of the ship. First, Sierra Leonean flag stealing from Nigeria. Nobody could catch it. We were not here at the time. Second, it came closer to Nigeria, possibly scared of the previous administration's stand against this oil theft. It kept its flag as to believe.

"But see something very ironic, May this year, it changed its flag to Nigeria. How ironic. It must be connected to somebody who thinks he has won and can steal now. When we caught this particular ship, we followed it for over a month till we got intelligence that yes, it is illegal." he said

Enisuoh stated that the oil which was tapped from an oil well suspected to be from Consolidated oil, was facilitated by a Nigerian male whose phone number is known by Tantita and who is currently on the run.

He explained that the ship's management is registered at Odessa, Ukraine adding that there are layers to the story which TSSNL is still investigating.

Comments

Omisande: CPS Pensioners in Lagos State assured of payment of their increase pension benefits as their Federal counterparts.

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme(CPS) in Lagos State have been urged to be patient concerning their much awaited increases, as there are assurance that all what they are entitled to will be paid earlier next year. This assurance is coming from the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme, NUPCPS, Lagos State Council, Comrade Michael Omisande. Comrade Omisande who spoke to ForumNews at the sideline of the end of year get together of Agege Zone Pensioners said what is delaying is the Template which is being awaited Comrade Omisande said just as the Federal workers who have started receiving their own entitlements, all Pensioners under the scheme in other five states will receive their own as approved by the Federal government. According to him, the PFA'S have been given till 20th December to pay all Federal Pensioners. He said after the completion of the Payment, PenCom will ther...

PenCom urges Lagos State Governor to extend periodic pension increase to retirees under CPS, as Sanwoolu welcomes the idea.

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has called on the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to extend periodic pension increases currently enjoyed by Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) retirees to those under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to boost their monthly pensions. The Director General of PenCom, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, made the request during a courtesy visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos State Government House on 7 May 2025. The visit was to present the report of PenCom’s 2024 routine inspection of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) and to thank the Governor for confirming his participation as Special Guest at the Pension Industry Leadership Retreat starting 8 May 2025. PenCom DG pointed out that currently, only DBS retirees are paid pension increases in Lagos State, leaving out their counterparts under the CPS. DG PenCom Ms Oloworaran with Gov Sanwoolu who presented her with Lagos State plaq...

PENCOM pledges to see that Lagos State pays CPS retirees.

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Director General of National Pension Commission, Ms Omolola Oloworaran has pledged that the Commission will fast track and work towards Lagos State government paying retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme what is due to them like their federal counterparts. She made the pledge at a media workshop in Lagos for journalists. The Director General was surprised when she was asked why the Template for the payment was not released to Lagos State government for the payment of backlog of areas and allowances as approved by the Federal government, which Federal retirees are currently enjoying. PenCom DG, Omolola Oloworaran She thereby directed her staff to work on the Lagos State matter to settle the matter towards making the Lagos State government have all the necessary information needed to pay the retirees. The PenCom Director General noted that Lagos State government was one of the few states that keyed into the progra...

Search This Blog