EXPOSED: Oil Theft Syndicate Busted Loading Crude From Cawthorne Channel 1 Flowstation Operated By Sahara Energy

A major breakthrough has been recorded in the fight against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta with the discovery of an illegal oil loading point at Cawthorne Channel 1 Flowstation in Rivers State being allegedly used by oil theft syndicate to siphon crude oil.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) understands that Cawthorne Channels 1 Flowstation, located in Bonny axis of Rivers State, where the foot soldiers of the syndicate were intercepted while in operation, is operated by Sahara Energy.

The facility was hitherto operated by Eroton Exploration and Production Company Limited.

It was gathered that an oil barge named AGS 01 with an unnamed wooden boat reportedly being used for the operation may have been impounded by security personnel.

Though no security agency of the government and private surveillance security companies have taken credit for the raid, dependable security sources attributed the feat to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), operated by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo).

According to sources, operatives of TSSNL uncovered the illegal operation while on patrol, leading to the impoundment of an oil barge and a wooden boat. “The presence of a wooden boat stored with crude oil and its hatches opened speaks volumes. This is obviously a crude oil theft syndicate backed and encouraged by unscrupulous individuals,” said a stakeholder in the oil industry.

Another source added, “A lot of questions are begging for answers. If Tantita has recorded another feat, its efforts should be commended by the government and indeed all Nigerians.”

One of our sources hinted that the operatives of TSSNL on normal patrol were attracted to the scene as illegal oil operators congregated within the vicinity of the Cawthorne Channels 1 Flowstation.

Top officials of TSSNL were not readily available to confirm the report at press time on Monday.

Pictures and video clips from the scenes showed the operatives of TSSNL on top of the seized barge, wooden boat and a tug boat named MV AMS 02.

A hose was sighted being used to transfer crude oil from the barge into the wooden boat.

The identities of the crew members of the illegal bunkering facilities were unknown at press time but officials of TSSNL were sighted ordering the oil thieves to vacate the scenes.

Some stakeholders in the oil industry have expressed dismay about the latest development, especially with the presence of the military personnel at Cawthorne Channel 1 Flowstation.

“The presence of a wooden boat stored with crude oil and its hatches opened speaks volumes. This is obviously crude oil theft syndicate backed and encouraged by the unscrupulous military establishment, officials of oil company and those of the state-owned Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

“A lot of questions are begging for answers in the unfolding scenario. The germane one is when have we come to the worrisome stage in the oil industry when a wooden boat are being used to lift crude oil on behalf of NNPCL or is it that the operatives of TSSNL sighted on top of the seized oil equipment were also aiding and abetting the illegal act?

“Or is it that Tantita has recorded another feat? If it’s so, it means its efforts should be commended by the government and indeed all Nigerians,” added one of our sources, who craved that his name should not be mentioned.

The management of TSSNL could not be reached to confirm their role in the discovery of the bunkering site.

The company’s Managing Director, Engineer Keston Pondi and Executive Director, Operations/Technical Services, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, could not be reached for their reaction to the development.