Security firm denies involvement in Bayelsa community’s military invasion

Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has refuted any involvement in the alleged military-gunboat invasion of Igbomotoru in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, which resulted in Sunday’s protest by the people of the riverine community.

The firm stated this in a statement signed by its state coordinator, Bayelsa Operations, Joshua Maciver, on Monday while reacting to a media report on the incident and the claims of the community.

youths, men, women and chiefs of Igbomotoru staged a peaceful demonstration in the community on Sunday, in several videos posted online, claiming that the military onslaught was at the instance of Maciver, who was the All Progressives Congress deputy governorship candidate in the just-concluded governorship election in the state.

They also alleged that Maciver masterminded the invasion to oppress them and also install one Friday Jonathan, who had been rejected as the paramount ruler of the community, adding that the APC chieftain was using his links with Tantita to reportedly cause mayhem in the community.

The caretaker committee chairman of the Southern Ijaw council area, Lucky Okodeh, who raised similar security concerns over the operations of Tantita in the area, accused the firm of security breaches, including the destruction of lives and property.

Okodeh called for a thorough investigation to address the alleged security breach perpetrated by the company’s operatives and bring the perpetrators to book.

However, Maciver labelled the allegations as unfounded, stressing that “Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, as a private security company, does not possess the authority to order federal forces but rather provides credible intelligence to guide federal forces in combating the menace of illegal bunkering and kpofire activities.”

He said the local government chairman’s request “is totally unnecessary and not borne out of goodwill, as it overlooks the collaborative efforts required to address security breaches common within riverine communities and environmental degradation associated with illegal bunkering activities.”

In addition, the Tantita security chief said, “It is crucial to emphasise that the deployment of the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in our operations is not meant to intimidate law-abiding citizens conducting lawful businesses. Additionally, the placement of gunboats extends beyond Igbomotoru community, encompassing strategic routes used by illicit crude oil bunkerers in areas like Azuzuama, Tebidaba-Okoron, Lasukugbene, Lagosgbene, and other communities.

“While we refrain from directly accusing individuals or groups involved in illicit activities, it is noteworthy that the expressed discomfort by CTC Chairman, Mr. Lucky Okodeh, in the media, raises questions. It prompts speculation on whether he is aware of potential clandestine activities within the Igbomotoru axis, suggesting that the presence of security forces may unveil illicit crude oil syndicates and mercenaries, contrary to the Federal Government’s stance on crude oil theft.

“Moreover, during the flag-off operation of Igbomotoru camp of Tantita security operations, which took place on the 14th of October 2022 and was attended by the State Coordinator, Great Joshua Maciver, along with the incumbent caretaker chairman Mr. Lucky Okodeh, in the company of various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army with gunboats, the entourage was welcomed to a warm reception by the community members.

“The CTC Chairman, during that visit, enjoined the community leadership to work with the surveillance company and the various security agencies and its apparatus in place, stating that their presence in the town was not to take away their means of livelihood but to better the lot of all and sundry in the course of their operations. To this date, Tantita security, along with the military and NSCDC, have carried on with their responsibilities without any reports of violence, harassment, or intimidation of any kind from 2022 up until this moment.”

On the issue of political intimidation, Maciver said that he had always displayed a peaceful disposition before, during and after the governorship polls, and would not witch-hunt anyone for political reasons.

“The promoters of this campaign of calumny should also be aware that only those culpable of illegal crude oil activities are targeted for arrest and possible prosecution, and no amount of blackmail or show of shame, as is in this case, will deter the robust collaboration between the surveillance company and the security apparatus of the Federal government”, he added.