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We apprehended many soldiers involved in oil theft — Niger Delta security chief

Published

3 years ago

October 16, 2022

Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo

For many years, security personnel deployed in the Niger Delta to guard oil installations and stop crude oil bunkering had turned themselves into oil bandits in collusion with some International Oil Companies, IOCs, government officials and oil bunkers.

They all blamed community folks and minor bunkers for illegally refining crude with amateur technology in the creeks.

There was nobody to speak out for the endangered communities until the Minister of State for Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, and Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Dr. Mele Kyari, under immense pressure from President Muhammadu Buhari, to stop the increasing oil theft, thought out of the box.

Sylva and Kyari had been in contact separately and mutually with the former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, for more than a year over the worsening theft.

Their discussions convinced the duo that he could be a magic wand, but each time Tompolo’s name came up in Aso Villa, and private meetings, some top security officials pooh-poohed the idea.

It was easy for Buhari, who, in 2016, canceled a “no cure no pay” contract that Global West, a company in which Tompolo served, as a technical partner, without a lucid understanding of the surrounding intrigues, to agree with the naysayers.

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However, with each passing day in their discussions and intelligence from Tompolo on the connivance of security and industry officials without which the massive thieving would not be possible, Sylva and Kyari approached Buhari with accessible facts.

They did not find it difficult getting the buy-in of the Chief of the Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor, who already had the instructions of the Commander-in-Chief to confront the situation head-on and bring the perpetrators to book.

Finally, a converted President approved the hiring of Tompolo, especially as the private surveillance contractors, who had been on the job, in the last few years, had done little

The trio of Irabor, Sylva, and Kyari are together, ever since, in the battle.

Tompolo’s engagement by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) triggered quite some controversy, but Sylva and Kyari were unmoved by the many distractions.

What was clear to them was that the illegal bunkering points had to be discovered and clamped; conspiring security and industry officials also had to be identified and disciplined, and the entire surveillance system overhauled for oil production to pick up once again.

Sunday Vanguard learned that some top security officials serving in Lagos and Abuja were part of the oil-bunkering consortium with their foot soldiers in the oil-rich region.

The oil cabal allegedly sponsored a campaign of calumny against Tompolo, recruiting some youths to protest against the ex-militant leader handling pipeline surveillance contracts in their areas.

It was not surprising when the former militant leader, who boasted that he knows the in-and-out of all the creeks in the Niger Delta, started making startling discoveries, less than a month, after his company, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, TSSNL, was engaged.

Working with selected security officials, Tompolo’s men uncovered large-scale and sophisticated oil theft machinery going on in the deep swamps at Yokri, close to the Forcados Terminal.

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Fubara Chooses Peace, Dedicates “Man of the Year” Award to Wike

Published

2 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Nyesom Wike and Siminalayi Fubara

Fubara Chooses Peace, Dedicates “Man of the Year” Award to Wike

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has made a bold statement of political reconciliation by dedicating his “Man of the Year” award to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The gesture comes as the governor continues efforts to heal political rifts that have plagued Rivers State since his inauguration in May 2023.

At the New Telegraph Honor/Dinner Night in Lagos on Friday, Fubara reflected on leadership, political pressure, and the value of peace, describing what critics often call “weakness” as a deliberate choice for stability.

“Some of these pains, some persons describe them as weakness, while others say it is being strong, but I choose for a lot of reasons to be weak. Weak, because I want peace. Weak, because we need to survive. Weak, because I need to also protect those things that are dear, not just to me, but to our dear nation,” Fubara said.

The governor emphasised that weakness is a virtue, adding that it “pays at the right time,” highlighting his focus on peaceful governance and unity. He also thanked the people of Rivers State for their patience and maturity during months of political tension.

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In a notable gesture, Fubara dedicated the award to Wike, describing him as the mentor who “discovered” his potential and paved the way for his political rise. “Without him, I wouldn’t be standing here as governor … it is the discovery that gave me this loudness,” he said, framing the award as a symbol of respect and reconciliation.

Reconciliation Amid Political Tensions

The dedication signals a thaw in the previously tense relationship between Fubara and Wike, which had seen governance instability, impeachment threats, and legislative conflicts. Recent interventions by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly helped ease the tension, prompting both leaders to take steps toward collaboration and stability.

Observers note that Fubara’s public acknowledgment of Wike’s role in initiatives such as the Port Harcourt Ring Road project reinforces the governor’s commitment to unity and development-focused leadership. Fubara has also moved to stabilize governance, including submitting a new list of commissioner nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Political Implications

Analysts describe Fubara’s award dedication as a strategic political peacebuilding move, enhancing stability in Rivers State and setting a tone for future cooperation. The gesture underscores the importance of mentorship, respect, and reconciliation in Nigerian politics, particularly in states where rivalries have historically disrupted governance.

The award ceremony drew dignitaries across political, traditional, and civil society circles, highlighting the symbolic significance of Fubara’s message of unity and inclusive leadership.

Fubara Chooses Peace, Dedicates “Man of the Year” Award to Wike

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Kwara Communities Abandon Homes as Terrorists Circulate Threat Letters

Published

2 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Kwara Communities Abandon Homes as Terrorists Circulate Threat Letters

Residents of Ira, Inaja, and Aho communities in Oyun Local Government Area, Kwara State, have fled their homes following threats from suspected terrorist groups, raising alarm over security in northern Nigeria. The threats come in the form of letters warning of imminent attacks, fueling fear and prompting mass displacement.

Over the past week, hoodlums linked to extremist elements reportedly delivered threat letters to four communities. One of the letters, left near the central mosque in Ira, was signed by the “Nigeria Terrorist Association (NTA)”. The message warned villagers to “be ready for us at any time, any date,” claiming the group had moved from Kaiama LGA and intended to target surrounding towns.

The warnings follow a deadly attack on Woro town in Kaiama LGA, where over 176 residents were killed and 38 others abducted earlier this month. Residents fear a repeat of the massacre, causing widespread panic and displacement.

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Community Reactions

Traditional leaders reported that the letter was delivered by two men on a motorcycle at a busy Okada riders’ park. Once discovered, the letter was immediately taken to local chiefs and security agencies. Despite the presence of DSS, police, NSCDC, and military personnel, many families chose to leave, while others remained indoors, closing shops and suspending farming and school activities.

Oba Wahab Oyetoro, the Oninaja of Inaja, confirmed that the threat heightened tensions, forcing some residents to seek refuge in neighboring towns such as Offa. Community members described nights of fear and warned children to avoid moving outside after dark.

Yekini Olarewaju, National Secretary of the Ira Descendants Union, emphasized the disruption to daily life, noting that people could not tend to farms, operate businesses, or attend schools. He added that locals have sought urgent government and security intervention.

Security Response

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed receiving the threat letters, stating that investigations are ongoing to verify the source. Police have intensified patrols in collaboration with local vigilantes and urged residents to report suspicious activity.

A senior officer from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base in Ilemona confirmed increased security measures and operational alertness. Oyun LGA Chairman Akanbi Olarewaju convened an emergency meeting with traditional rulers and security agencies to map out preventive strategies and reinforce community policing efforts.

Authorities stressed the importance of timely information-sharing to avert potential attacks and reassure residents. Despite these measures, fear continues to grip communities, leaving many families displaced and anxious about the coming days.

The incident underscores ongoing challenges in combating terrorism and insecurity in Kwara State and northern Nigeria, particularly in vulnerable rural corridors near forest belts.

Kwara Communities Abandon Homes as Terrorists Circulate Threat Letters

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DPO Killed in Katsina Gun Duel With Bandits

Published

5 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Trends Admin

CSP Muhammad Sani‑Kabir

DPO Killed in Katsina Gun Duel With Bandits

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) was fatally shot by suspected bandits during a gunfight in Katsina State as security personnel responded to a distress call about cattle rustling and armed attacks. The incident marks another deadly encounter in the ongoing fight against banditry in northern Nigeria.

According to the Katsina State Police Command, the attack unfolded on Friday afternoon, February 13, 2026, at about 2 p.m. in Magaje Village, Rimi Local Government Area. Security operatives received reports that suspected bandits armed with dangerous weapons had launched an attack in the community, rustling livestock and firing shots sporadically.

In response to the distress call, the DPO of Rimi, CSP Muhammad Sani‑Kabir, mobilised officers from neighbouring divisions and worked with military personnel to track the suspects and recover the rustled animals. When the team caught up with the armed bandits at the outskirts of the village, a gun duel ensued.

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While the joint operation successfully neutralised three suspected bandits and recovered the stolen livestock, CSP Sani‑Kabir was tragically shot and killed during the exchange of fire. One other police officer sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he is reportedly responding to treatment.

The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, mourned the slain officer, describing him as a professional and dedicated police leader whose actions demonstrated bravery and a strong commitment to public safety. Shehu also expressed condolences to the DPO’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Authorities have launched a manhunt for any remaining attackers, and additional security reinforcement has been deployed to bolster efforts to protect residents and stabilise affected communities.

The incident underscores the persistent challenge of banditry and cattle rustling in Katsina State and the Northwest region, where armed criminal groups frequently ambush security forces, abduct civilians, and raid villages. Recent attacks across the state, including ambushes that killed other police officers, have heightened concerns about the safety of rural patrols and response teams.

Local leaders and security experts have called for enhanced intelligence, better equipment, and stronger collaboration between security agencies and communities to prevent such deadly confrontations and improve protection for both officers and civilians.