Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has revealed that powerful individuals behind Nigeria’s oil theft syndicate are targeting him for exposing their illegal operations in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking during a visit by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) delegation to his hometown in Oporoza, headquarters of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, Tompolo detailed the challenges and threats he faces in his fight against oil theft.
“While doing this work, we have stepped on a lot of toes of people over there in Lagos and Abuja. We have stepped on a lot of toes. As I am here, after my court cases, I cannot travel anywhere because of me and the key people (barons) fighting this battle,” Tompolo disclosed.
He further explained the security risks he encounters: “If I want to travel to Abuja to visit you, I must go with security. Even with two or three security personnel, none of them are happy with me, and they are now collaborating with top players involved in oil theft.”
Tompolo highlighted recent confrontations between his Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a federal government-contracted security outfit, and naval personnel.
“Some few days back, our people intercepted a vessel in Port Harcourt, where the Nigerian Navy was shooting at Tantita security, with police, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,” he revealed.
The security contractor expressed concern over the sabotage of efforts to curb crude oil theft: “Most times, you see that Tantita Security now has confrontations with the navy and every well-meaning Nigerian knows the function of the Nigerian Navy and Tantita, but nobody wants to come out to face the truth.”
Responding to these challenges, NBA President Afam Osigwe emphasized the association’s commitment to combating oil theft. He praised Tantita Security Services for their surveillance work, which has helped increase oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day.
“If the oil production keeps going up, it will benefit all of us and the government will be able to provide for the needs of the people,” Osigwe stated.
“The fight against oil theft is more desirable now, more than ever before, because Nigeria is borrowing so much to fund its budget and cannot meet the needs of Nigerians,” he added.
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The NBA delegation also addressed environmental concerns in the Niger Delta region.
“We resolved to make an on-the-scene assessment of the oil-bearing communities to see the hardship they are suffering,” Osigwe explained, noting the irony that communities bearing the nation’s oil wealth face significant environmental degradation without enjoying the benefits.
“The irony is that these communities that bear the responsibilities of the nation’s oil wealth do not enjoy the wealth as most of the cities in the country,” the NBA president concluded.
Tompolo called for greater legal support in prosecuting oil theft cases: “If we happen to arrest anybody now, we would get a lawyer from Abuja, Lagos or Ibadan to do the case very well.” He emphasized the economic impact of oil theft, noting that “if we are not careful in this country, maybe we will not have money to do any reasonable thing.”
