From ONYEKACHUKWU MELUWA, WARRI
In a bold move to bolster the protection of critical infrastructure, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, in partnership with Top Private Security Services Nigeria Limited, has flagged off a three-day capacity building training for personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other stakeholders in the oil and gas security chain.
The training, holding at the Jubilee Christian Centre in Effurun, Delta State, kicked off yesterday with 100 carefully selected participants in what organisers described as a “mission-critical intervention” in Nigeria’s fight against oil theft and sabotage.
A statement issued by the management of Top Private Security Services said the training is focused on enhancing operational synergy, emergency response skills, maritime security intelligence and anti-sabotage techniques among security operatives guarding the nation’s oil pipelines.
Executive Director, Technical and Operations, Tantita Security Services, Captain Warredi Enisuoh noted that“we are dealing with very complex threats of oil theft, sabotage and environmental degradation.
“To succeed, we must build capacity, deepen inter-agency cooperation and embrace technology-driven surveillance.”
Day one of the training featured sessions on pipeline protection strategies, legal implications of oil asset surveillance and health, safety, and emergency response practices. Legal experts such as David Ogbedu, Julius Nasamu Gaiya and Commander J. Cheilo are among the lead facilitators.
Day two focused on maritime security and intelligence gathering, with retired naval officers including Commodore S.O Ode and Commodore Omatseye Nesiama taking participants through real-world field tactics and surveillance technologies.
On day three, Brigadier-General M.O Ajala is scheduled to lead a critical module on civil-military cooperation and conflict sensitivity, culminating in a capstone exercise that will simulate real-life pipeline protection scenarios.
This initiative is coming at a time when the federal government is under intense pressure to curtail massive revenue losses from pipeline vandalism and oil theft, particularly in the Niger Delta.
A senior NSCDC officer told newsmen that “this kind of collaboration is what the country needs now. It equips us to act smarter, faster and more effectively against oil thieves and saboteurs.”
