Maritime Agencies
PROTEST BLACKLASH: SNIFIEC Commends Gov Fubara For Physically Pacifying Protesters
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
A huge commendation has gone to Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State for being the first and only governor nationwide who summoned the courage to physically appear to address protesters during the last End-Bad-Governance-In-Nigeria protests across the nation.
National Co-ordinator, Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters’ Coalition (SNIFIEC), Chief Patrick Osita Chukwu, made the commendation in Lagos while reviewing the ten-day national protest against bad governance by Nigerian youths.
Chukwu expressed happiness that with all the pressure the Federal Government, some state governments and other actors mounted to subvert the protest, it still held.
“I’m an acute activitist from birth. I love one thing: if somebody errs, tell him where he erred. If somebody is okay, praise and honour him.”
“Somebody will say that President Tinubu inherited this and that. I disagree. He was part of the previous government, in fact, the most critical stakeholder as regards protesting against any ills in the society.”
He hailed the disposition of authorities at the Apapa and Tincan Island Ports for doing something great by asking people to be at their work places as the protest lasted, realizing that any resultant gridlock, surplus and cargo congestion would be suffered by everybody including cargo owners.
Speaking about experiences during the second day of the protest, Chief Chukwu said: “We were magnanimous enough to come to work, taking risks. Yesterday, some came, some did not. Today, some came early but could not see anything happening. This is a signal to the Federal Government that anything can happen any time.”
He explained that the only way to hold the youths is to do the right thing concerning their welfare and the general interests of ordinary Nigerians who are currently feeling the pains of what he calls misrule.
“In fact, the margin of what we can describe as robbing Peter to pay Paul is too much in the system. If the President of Nigeria can align with the youths, it will be beneficial and helpful to him.”
“The youths say, ‘cut down the cost of governance’. You see Senators, members of the House of Representatives parading fleets of brand-new cars, wasting fuel, wasting money. Bogus allowances are paid to security agents to protect them. If not waste, what will you call it? People cannot afford a meal in two days, average Nigerians look for succour while living on a quarter dollar a day.”
Although the protest has come and gone, the SNIFIEC boss says he supports it now and in future.
“In any dimension it comes, I will be part of it because we cannot continue sitting on the fence; we must take back what belongs to us.”
He recalled that when the President was trying to enter office, he said it is his turn. “When I get in, within six months, I will do this and that”, he quoted the President as saying.
But today, we no longer hear ‘it’s my turn’. If he is a good democrat, what stopped him from aligning with the protesters or going into the field to explain to the people reasons he got an injunction for them to be at the stadium to enable him come there to address them?
“He should have appeared physically at the arena to express sorry at what is happening and to say, ‘my brothers and sisters, take me as you see me. Watch out in the next six months and see what I’m going to do to cut costs’ so that people will align with him.”
Chief Osita Patrick Chukwu.
Chukwu observed that the Senate and House of Representatives are at the beck and call of the President because if they pass any bill and the President refuses consent, it cannot work.
On the issue of non-performing refineries vis-a-vis the current controversy trailing the Dangote Refinery which Nigerians had thought would come to rescue them from problems of fuel prize, the SNIFIEC boss advised the Federal Government to decisively deal with the cabal promoting the importation of refined petroleum products because they are the source of all problems.
“What they are doing is to allow people to die. Have you not seen the politics they are playing with Dangote Refinery? Dangote demonstrated love for the motherland but they are frustrating him. Why? Any business done without imparting on the people is a useless endeavour. All the money being wasted to refurbish the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna, there’s no probe because they are the ones benefitting. The truth must be told!
Now, the youths want to tell you that this has to stop and you say it cannot be. This is pain of poverty, pain of habitual denial, pain of circumventing the real motives for democratic dispensation.
“My heart is bleeding because in country where nobody thinks about anybody especially the poor and the less-privileged, is that what you wish a country of this magnitude that God blessed with rich natural and human resources?”
“Kudos to Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara. Seeing him come out to speak to the protesters, the first and only one among his class of politicians in government to do so, I slated a special award for him, THE BEST GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR, in appreciation of his coming out physically to address the protesters in his domain. Somebody will say, ‘give me money and I will give you an award’. I am pleased to witness this. When his aides wanted to discourage him, he insisted, saying he hears the protesters’ language and they hear his.”
Maritime Agencies
OIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Tantita Security Services Ltd (TSSL), the company in charge of security surveillance over oil and gas installations in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, is in collaboration with Textron Systems Corporation, a United States–based defence and aerospace company, to supply her three advanced Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).
TSSNL owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo) disclosed the business deal in her website publication of December 29, 2025. The drones will be delivered in a fully ITAR-Free configuration.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 is designed to operate without runways, utilising hybrid quadrotor technology that enables vertical takeoff and landing, as well as fixed-wing flight.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS, Textron Systems says, is a mature, industry-proven autonomous platform known for its high reliability and operational flexibility. Its dual-mode capability allows it to operate seamlessly in complex and high-risk environments, making it well-suited for security operations within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Giving further insight into the contract, Senior Vice President, Air, Land and Sea Systems at Textron Systems, David Phillips, said the deployment would significantly enhance Tantita’s operational capability.
”The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS is a proven solution that will enable Tantita Security Services to expand its capabilities to protect the oil and gas infrastructure essential to Nigerian security and prosperity,” he stated.
The Aerosonde platform has accumulated over 700,000 flight hours across some of the world’s most challenging operating environments, underscoring its reliability and performance.
Tantita Security Services is expected to deploy the systems to strengthen surveillance and protection of critical oil and gas assets across Nigeria.
The contract also includes options for operator training and the supply of additional aircraft to support future capability expansion. Textron Systems noted that the agreement builds on a previous Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract to Nigeria, further highlighting its ongoing commitment to supporting Nigerian security operations.
Textron Systems is a global leader in uncrewed air, land and sea systems, with the Aerosonde family of UAS currently supporting international customers and operations aboard more than 10 U.S. Navy ships. The company is a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), a diversified multinational with interests spanning aviation, defence, industrial manufacturing and finance.
With multiple payload configurations and comprehensive training and support services, the Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS offers a versatile and efficient solution for security operations in demanding environments, reinforcing Tantita Security Services’ role in safeguarding Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure.
Maritime Agencies
NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: MARAN Appreciates Stakeholders, Requests Greater Support and Collaboration in 2026.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate a brand new year, the pioneer maritime journalists’ group, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), has implored the entire business community, especially maritime industry stakeholders, to join the association afresh in advancing the cause of the industry to ensure more impact and relevance in the national economy in the new year and beyond.
In a New Year message, MARAN Chairman, Mr. Tunde Ayodele described 2026 as a “year of greater impact,” stressing the need for improved service delivery and more robust maritime reportage to support national development.
According to him, the collective efforts of stakeholders in the outgoing year contributed positively to the growth of the maritime sector, urging all parties to sustain the spirit of unity and collaboration in the new year.
“United, we can make Nigeria proud by contributing our quota to national development, each from our own little corner,” the MARAN chairman said.
Ayodele reaffirmed MARAN’s readiness to collaborate with organisations and institutions across the maritime value chain, noting that such partnerships are crucial to making Nigeria’s maritime space one that is admired and celebrated.
He expressed appreciation for the cooperation and support extended to the association throughout 2025 and called for renewed commitment in the year ahead.
“Thank you for your cooperation and support in 2025. Let us do it again in 2026,” he added.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In the ongoing efforts to thwart economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, Tantita Security Services Ltd, the firm engaged in pipeline surveillance operations in the oil -rich region, has nabbed four suspected oil thieves, intercepting their vessel named MT Thor. Suspects are to undergo trial for economic sabotage .
Speaking at the handover of the suspects at Koko Port, Tantita’s Executive Director of Operations, Capt Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally-sourced petroleum products aboard the vessel.
The interception occurred on 15 December 2025, around the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State, says a situation report made available by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft.
The report stated that Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting MT Thor, allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means.
It was further alleged that the vessel was being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.
Preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit in an ongoing criminal investigation, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited. Investigation officers disclosed that documents and correspondence connected to the jetty were obtained and are currently under review.
“The owner of the jetty, Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the investigation.
“On December 16, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a Joint Inspection Visit in Koko. The team first met at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was also attended by the jetty owner.
“During the inspection, investigators attempted to obtain samples from MT Thor but were unable to do so immediately as the vessel had not yet arrived at the jetty, having been towed from an earlier location by security operatives.
“While awaiting the vessel’s arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to be carrying crude oil within the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were taken from a storage barge.
“MT Thor eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on 16 December, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day. As of 17 December 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete investigation formalities,” the report read.
Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in line with the law.
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Customs3 weeks agoNSC Boss, Akutah, Speaks At Maritime Journalists’ Seminar, Harps on Developing Trends the Press Cannot Overlook.
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Customs3 weeks agoTincan Customs Achieves N51.8Bn Surplus Above 2025 Revenue Target
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoNIGER DELTA SECURITY : Tantita Arrests 4 Oil Thieves, Nabs Vessel .
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoOIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
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