Tompolo accuses Navy of sabotage in oil theft fight

Tompolo accuses Navy of sabotage in oil theft fight

Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) Chairman Dr. Government Ekpemupolo (also known as Tompolo) has alleged sabotage in the fight against crude oil theft.

Ekpemupolo spoke yesterday when he hosted the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA),  in Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The NBA was led by its President Afam Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The team also visited the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba in his  palace.

He alleged that some persons attacked his staff while they were arresting oil thieves on the Port-Harcourt creeks.

Ekpemupolo appealed to the NBA to rise to the situation and save the country from its current economic crisis.

He said that government may not have enough funds to run her institutions, hence the need for all hands to be on deck.

“The NBA has a duty to play in this present situation because if we are not careful in this country, we will not have money to do any reasonable thing.

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“We are going to do our part locally, but you are there at the top. If we arrest today, lawyers will appear on both sides. My appeal is that you need to help us.”

The TANTITA boss said that he had stepped on many toes in the cause of the ongoing onslaught against crude oil theft, adding that he has become a target of revenge.

He said: “In the course of this surveillance, we have stepped on so many   toes of people over there in Lagos and Abuja.

“After my court cases, I cannot travel anywhere, if I must travel, I have to go with two or three security personnel.”

Osigwe expressed joy over the recent announcement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) that oil production had risen to 1.8 million barrels per day.

He said that Gbaramatu Kingdom plays host to TSSNL which has been working with the NNPCL and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

The NBA president said: “If the oil production keeps going up, it will benefit all of us and government will be able to provide for the needs of the people

“However, there is a need to stem the theft of our commonwealth from some individuals.

“The fight against oil theft is more desirable now more than ever before, because Nigeria is borrowing so much to fund its budget.”

Osigwe said that the essence of the visit was to assess the oil-producing community, and ascertain the level of hardship faced by the residents.

He said: “First – to get first-hand knowledge of how this battle has been fought and what the challenges and approach are.

“Tantita has done a lot of good work on the issues of pipeline protection and oil theft. We thought that it would be a good place for us to come.

Osigwe said that NBA was interested in the issues of oil theft coupled with the effects of environmental pollution and degradation resulting from oil exploration.

According to him,  the communities that bear the pains of the nation’s oil wealth do not enjoy the wealth compared to others get.

The Pere of Gbaramatu  Kingdom,  Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba called on the Federal  Government to provide  infrastructure in the oil-producing communities.

“Presently, government is far from us. It should come closer to us and do the needful for us to reciprocate,” the monarch said.

The traditional ruler specifically called for the establishment of a Magistrate Court in Gbaramatu kingdom.He said that Gbaramatu stood for peace and will continue to stand for peace in the Niger Delta region.

Tompolo accuses Navy of sabotage in oil theft fight