Kehinde Fajobi
Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has claimed to have received threats to his life over his efforts to combat crude oil theft.
He also alleged that powerful individuals involved in oil theft are unhappy with him for exposing their operations.
Tompolo made these remarks in his hometown, Oporoza, the headquarters of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, during a visit by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) led by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN).
Speaking during the visit, Tompolo disclosed that operatives of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a private outfit contracted by the federal government to safeguard oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta, were recently attacked by naval personnel during an operation.
He alleged the incident occurred along the Port Harcourt creeks while they were apprehending suspected oil thieves.
Tompolo called for greater collaboration between the navy and other security agencies, saying, “While doing this work, we have stepped on a lot of toes of people over there in Lagos and Abuja. As I am here, after my court cases, I cannot travel anywhere because of me and the key people (barons) fighting this battle.”
He revealed that security concerns have limited his movements, adding, “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 lamented that Tantita Security often faces clashes with the Nigerian Navy despite their shared goal of protecting oil installations.
“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.”
He also expressed concern over legal hurdles that sabotage efforts to prosecute oil thieves.
“If we happen to arrest anybody now, we would get a lawyer from Abuja, Lagos, or Ibadan to do the case very well,” he said.
Reflecting on a recent incident, Tompolo claimed, “Some days back, our people intercepted a vessel in Port Harcourt, where the Nigerian Navy was shooting at Tantita Security, with police, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps present.”
Addressing the NBA team, he appealed for their support in the fight against oil theft, adding, “If we are not careful in this country, maybe we will not have money to do any reasonable thing. A bag of rice is over ₦100,000. We are going to do our part locally, but you (NBA) are there at the top.”
In response, NBA President Afam Osigwe reaffirmed the association’s commitment to combating oil theft.
He called on lawyers to take a more active role in prosecuting oil thieves to ensure justice prevails.
Osigwe commended Tantita Security Services for its surveillance efforts, noting that these had contributed to increased oil production.
“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,” he said.
He further 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. If the leakages in oil production are well blocked, it will go a long way in boosting the country’s earnings.”
The NBA delegation also raised concerns about the environmental impact of oil exploration in the Niger Delta, which has led to severe pollution and degradation of host communities.
Osigwe said, “We resolved to make an on-the-scene assessment of the oil-bearing communities to see the hardship they are suffering.
“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.”