Wis-South Security Ltd denies takeover of pipeline surveillance contract, says mandate is policing for NNPC

By Amgbare Prince, Yenagoa

The Chief Executive Officer of Wis-South Security Ltd, Chief Wisdom Joseph Owo, has addressed rumours about the company’s alleged preparation to take over pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta.

He labeled the claims as misleading and false during a press briefing at the company’s corporate headquarters in Yenagoa.

Chief Owo, who also serves as the Chairman of Private Security Guards in the Niger Delta and the Chairman of Niger Delta People in Abuja, clarified that Wis-South Security Ltd was a category “A” licensed security outfit mandated to function as police to Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).

The company’s responsibilities include monitoring NNPC Ltd’s facilities, joint venture oil installations, and gathering intelligence on the activities of security agents and other multinational companies in the oil and gas industry to aid NNPC Ltd in protecting critical national assets.

Since its establishment in 2016, Wis-South Security Ltd has directly dealt with NNPC Ltd, providing security for its facilities, including the NNPC Ltd Tower in Abuja.

The Director of Operations, Chief Womotimi Gabriel Apaingolo, emphasized that the current training of youths was aimed at increasing the staff members’ strength to meet the demands of their mandate and was not an attempt to take over existing pipeline surveillance contracts.

Chief Apaingolo noted that NNPCL had formally communicated to the Inspector General of Police and all Service Chiefs about Wis-South Security Ltd’s mandate, urging the military and other security agencies to collaborate with them.

He also highlighted that Wis-South Security Ltd’s licence was not an oil and gas licence and praised the ongoing pipeline surveillance contracts for providing employment opportunities and reducing crime in the Niger Delta.

The training of personnel, supervised by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), requires a minimum qualification of a West African Senior School Certificate or NECO.

Achievements of Wis-South Security Ltd include the arrest of pipeline vandals, who were handed over to relevant authorities.

Legal Consultant Barr. E.J Zikenah reaffirmed Wis-South Security Ltd’s role as a frontline security outfit for NNPC Ltd, carrying out covert operations and providing intelligence reports to protect oil and gas infrastructure.

He stressed the importance of security within the Petroleum Industry Act and stated that Wis-South Security Ltd also identified and apprehended companies operating without proper licenses.

According to Barr. Zikenah, Wis-South Security Ltd had employed twenty thousand youths from the nine oil-producing states, all trained by NSCDC.

The scope of their operations has expanded nationwide following the discovery of crude oil in other parts of Nigeria.

PRO John Etekpe expressed gratitude to journalists for their fact-finding mission, urging them to verify facts before publication.

He pledged continued cooperation with the media to promote the activities of Wis-South Security Ltd for sustainable peace and development in the country.