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Tag: Tompolo

  • I will do everything to ensure increased oil production, says Tompolo

    I will do everything to ensure increased oil production, says Tompolo

    • Security chief gets NUJ award

    The Chairman of Tantita Security Services, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), has promised to do everything possible to ensure increased daily crude oil production to boost the country’s revenue.

    Tompolo made the promise at the weekend at Oporoza in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State after receiving “Internal Security Meritorious Award” the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) conferred on him.

    The Tantita chairman acknowledged the pivotal role of the media in promoting peace and stabilising democracy.

    “The only place I have to call my country is Nigeria. So, I will do everything within my powers to see that crude oil production increases.

    “The critical role of the media in Nigeria cannot be overemphasised. Nothing reasonable can be achieved without the media. I appeal that they should be appreciated,” Tompolo said.

    The Federal Government engaged his TSSNL, a private pipeline surveillance security outfit, to curtail crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

    NUJ President Chris Isiguzo lauded Tompolo’s contributions to internal security, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

    He noted that the awardee had substantially helped the country to address crude oil theft which, according to him, had occupied the national life of Nigerians.

    Read Also: Oil theft: Courts order forfeiture of illegal bunkering vessels arrested by Tompolo’s Tantita

    Isiguzo said: “Today, somebody has risen to the occasion and gathered an array of young men who have taken it upon themselves to help this country to continue to survive as a peaceful and united nation. His commitment, dedication, and diligence, Nigeria have, to a very extent, reduced the activities of men of the underworld consistently pilfering and taking our common patrimony for their selfish gains.

    “We decided that we must accord the necessary recognition to the man who carries the flag, and birthed this organization; a man who has exceptionally distinguished himself and has been celebrated by Nigerians across all walks of life. He is a general in his right, and has distinguished himself, ensured and maintained an appreciable level of internal security.

    “We have come to Oporoza to confer on him the Internal Security Meritorious Award of the NUJ.”

    Isiguzo, who was accompanied by NUJ National Secretary Shuaibu Leman, among other officials, said the media remained the oxygen of democratic governance.

    “If it collapsed, Nigeria will collapse,” he added.

    According to him, security is a collective responsibility and not for the government alone, He said all hands must be on deck to address it.

  • Tompolo clinches ‘Courage in Leadership’ award

    Tompolo clinches ‘Courage in Leadership’ award

    • ’Tantita targeting 2m bpd oil output’

    Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a private firm contracted by the Federal Government to protect Nigeria’s crude oil pipelines, says it is targeting an output of two million barrels per  day in the fight against oil theft.

    Chairman of the company, Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a. Tompolo, made this known at The Sun Newspaper Awards 2024 ceremony, held in Lagos, where he clinched the ‘Courage of Leadership Award’.

    Receiving the award, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, media consultant to Tantita, said the firm was targeting two million barrel per day output for the country.

    Stating that Tantita, in collaboration with the nation’s security agencies, has discovered several points of illegal activities, it noted that three vessels have been impounded as of this year.

    He thanked the news medium for recognising their efforts, saying it would spur them to intensify their efforts.

    “Since the Federal Government asked Tantita Security Company, which High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo is the chairman, to protect our oil facilities, he has been making waves in the job he has been doing. So this award didn’t come to us as a surprise.

    “He has asked us to inform Nigerians that they should be rest assured that he would continue to do the job, and he is going to increase the barrels to two million per day.

    “Tantita is not alone in carrying out this job. They’re doing this job with the Nigerian military, and the military is also doing its best. It has been in synergy between Tantita and the military and the Civil Defence Corps as well. The synergy will continue by God’s grace. We will hit the mark that we have been clamouring for.

    “We’ve discovered a lot of points that illegal activities were being done in the creek. Vessels were seized, and just this year, we’ve impounded three of them. And we will continue to do the job. We are going to block all loopholes, and nobody will be able to involve in the illegal activities,” he said.

    The Managing Director of the Sun Newspaper, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, presenting the award, hailed Tompolo and his security firm for the reduction in crude oil theft and increased production.

    “In deciding who wins our award, it takes a lot of vigorous processes. We examine all the pros and cons so that when we come out, we can defend any decision we’ve taken.

    “Talking about Tompolo, he has done very well in curbing oil theft. Oil theft is a problem in Nigeria, and the government also knows this and says it. For the government to have confidence to say Tompolo, come and do this job, it’s something that is worth commending.

    “So far, he has done well and the result is that oil theft has reduced, Nigeria’s production has increased, and that means more money for Nigeria.

    “Yes, it’s for all Nigerians to support whatever that will curb oil theft. Because if it’s not curbed, the country will be bleeding, and when the country bleeds, we lose money, we lose resources and we will be looking for money to do what we’re doing.

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    “So it’s for everyone to support whatever that will stop that theft in the oil sector,” he said.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who received the ‘Most Impactful Royal Father of the Year’, promised to continue praying for more achievements by the former Niger Delta freedom fighter from the throne of Oduduwa.

    “I want to use this medium to congratulate Government Tompolo for what he’s doing in terms of security, securing the pipelines from vandalism and also theft of crude oil.

    “It has increased to 1.6 million barrels now, from less than 700 to 800 thousand, but we’re imploring that they should do more and increase it to 2.6 to 3 million barrels so that the effect of dollar and the pressure of dollar will come down in Nigeria.”

    Niger Delta environmentalist, Sheriff Mulade, described Tompolo as a “patriotic” Nigerian who is determined to salvage the country’s economy from declining.

  • Tompolo’s Tantita, soldiers ‘foil’ oil theft at OML 103, 110 off Ondo Coast

    Tompolo’s Tantita, soldiers ‘foil’ oil theft at OML 103, 110 off Ondo Coast

    Pipeline surveillance company, Tantita Security Services Limited has alerted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) on the activities of an unmarked vessel purportedly involved in illegal bunkering activities off the Ondo state coast 

    TSSL, which is owned by Chief (Dr) Government Ekpemupolo, said the unknown oil tanker was moored at an oil well jacket around the Oil Mining Leases (OML) 110 and 103 operated by Cavendish Petroleum Limited, and Consolidated Oil respectively.

    In its report to NNPCL that was made available to The Nation, TSSL said its operatives in the Igbokoda axis of Ondo state were tipped off by its intelligence sources on the plot by a syndicate to steal crude oil from a well jacket in between the two OMLs.

    It said: “The loading of the ship was to commence just before 2200hrs local time on the 6th of December 2023. Tantita Security Operatives got confirmation that the unknown ship is on location and had made fast to the Well Jacket and that loading had commenced.

    “At about 0300hrs, Tantita Security Operatives set out to secure the scene of the crime via two boats. While underway, information reached us that the ship had four AK-47 rifles and ammunition and we should proceed with caution.”

    The firm also expressed concerns about possible collusion between the criminals, bad eggs within the NNPCL, and officials of the Nigerian Navy’s FOB around the vicinity of the crime.

    Read Also: Tantita, security forces arrest vessel

    The letter signed by Captain Waredi Enisuoh identified a suspected oil dealer, who is currently facing charges of illegal bunkering (names withheld) as the mastermind of the plot.

    The statement said the gang is working in league with an illegal bunkering and well jacket vandalism suspect based in Benin, Edo State, and appealed to the Nigerian Navy to allow its operative to bring the suspect to face the law 

    It added: “As daylight, we approached the ship to have a clearer view. It was discovered that it had already connected hoses from the Wellhead to its deck and loading had commenced.

    “By this time, an update also got to us that the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base has sent out gunboats in the direction of the crime scene as well. Their mission was to rescue the ship from the Tantita Operatives laying siege in the area and securing it from being boarded.”

     Enisuoh said the two Navy gunboats and a speedboat donated to the Nigerian Navy by the Ondo State government stormed the area and started firing warning shots at its operatives forcing them to abandon mission and wait for backup.

     A video of the confrontation between the navy on one hand, and a team comprising soldiers of the Nigerian Army and TSSL operatives, on the other hand, showed the naval officers directing the TSsL team to backoff, saying, “we have the authority to secure the area.”

    The group lamented that they were drawing fire from the navy, who should join them in protecting oil assets from theft.

    Speaking on the confrontation, Capt Enisuoh said: “We refused to leave the area despite the Cat and Mouse chase between the Tantita Operatives and the Navy at sea. By evening time, we got information that the Navy had removed the Master of the yet-to-be-identified ship and one other crew member.”

    He called on the NNPCL and the Federal Government to wade in and ensure that the circumstances surrounding the vessel, its cargo, and those involved are unraveled.

  • IYN congratulates Tompolo on honorary doctorate

    IYN congratulates Tompolo on honorary doctorate

    The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has congratulated High Chief Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) on the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree (Honoris Causa) in Philosophy in Education on him by the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, Delta State.

    The group described the recognition as well deserved in view of Tompolo’s sustained commitment to peace building and societal development.

    In a statement by its Coordinator, Frank Ebikabo, and its Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, IYN noted that Tompolo had been crucial to the stability in the Niger Delta region and the country.

    The group described Tompolo as a patriot who had responded to serious existential challenges threatening the economic well-being of Nigeria through his campaign against oil theft and the protection of the Niger Delta environment from pollution.

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    It added that the honoree had used his influence and contacts in the region to ensure conflict elimination, promotion of peace and development.

    The IYN praised NMU for honouring Tompolo, adding that he had contributed immensely to education, employment of youths, among others.

    The group urged the recipient to sustain his efforts and continue to impact society positively.

    “We believe that the leadership of the NMU did the right thing by according this deserved honour on Tompolo for his unwavering commitment to peace and development in the society.

    “We felicitate him on this award and urge him to see it as a push for further efforts to develop society,” IYN added.

  • NMU to confer ‘doctorate’ degree on Tompolo, Diette-Spiff today

    NMU to confer ‘doctorate’ degree on Tompolo, Diette-Spiff today

    The Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko is set to confer ordinary Doctorate degrees on former freedom fighter, Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom in Bayelsa state, HRM. King Alfred Papapreye Diette-Spiff at its first convocation ceremony billed for Saturday, November 25.

    The Secretary, Tompolo Foundation, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, who disclosed this said the award is based on their positive contributions towards the growth and development of the school.

    He congratulated Tompolo and the traditional ruler who doubles as the Chairman of Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities, ahead of the event.

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    According to him, the award is a call for them to do more for the university.

    “Tompolo will continue to do more for the Nigerian Maritime University. He likes education and does not play with it. He encourages youths to enroll in the school. He provides them with scholarships to succeed in their educational pursuit.

    “He has been contributing in no small measure to the Nigerian Maritime University in terms of providing infrastructures, endowment funds and so on. He will continue to do more for the institution,” Bebenimibo stated.

  • Ex-agitator leaders blame Sylva/Tompolo alliance for APC’s defeat

    Ex-agitator leaders blame Sylva/Tompolo alliance for APC’s defeat

    Some ex-Niger Delta agitator leaders have attributed the defeat of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva, to the alleged unholy alliance between him and a former militant leader, Government Ekpemukpolo, popularly called Tompolo.

    They claimed that the previous award of over $370 million belonging to Bayelsa State (central corridor) to a contractor in Delta State angered many of the ex-militants at the corridor.

    The ex-agitator leaders in a statement yesterday said the wide acceptance of the winner of the just-concluded Bayelsa governorship poll by the electorate was made possible by them to counter the undemocratic plan of Sylva/Tompolo alliance.

    The statement signed by Fidelis Nagard, also called ‘Water Phython’, said the action of the ex-militant leaders was carried out as a show of force to let the Federal Government know that Tompolo is no longer a political factor in the Niger Delta.

    Read Also: Ex-militant leaders blame Sylva/Tompolo alliance for APC’s defeat in Bayelsa

    The statement said: “We had it on good authority that Tompolo promised the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, that he will ensure Chief Timipre Sylva wins in Bayelsa State, but other ex-militant leaders agreed on a counter plan to show to the Federal Government that Tompolo is not a political force in the region.

    “Tompolo is only riding on past glory in which major ex-militant leaders played vital roles. Tompolo betrayed ex-militant leaders to secure the pipeline surveillance contract for himself and his ally.

    “For the record, ex-militant leaders did not even deploy 10 per cent of our plans and arsenal before checkmating the Sylva/Tompolo tactics.”

    The ex-militant leaders, however, called on the Federal Government to ensure that development and empowerment policies for the region were not channelled through Tompolo and his likes.

    They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deal with each state separately, saying any politician that passes through Tompolo will be disgraced.

    They advised the Federal Government to take a close review of the crude oil pipeline surveillance contract and ensure it is decentralised across the corridors in the region.

    “If it is awarded to only one contractor, it is dead on arrival. If they go ahead, it will be sabotaged. The Federal Government should decentralise the contract for national and economic security interest of the country,” they said.

  • Ikwerre Congress warns against call to cancel Tompolo’s contract

    Ikwerre Congress warns against call to cancel Tompolo’s contract

    The Ikwerre Peoples Congress (IPC) Worldwide has cautioned against what it described as a perceived self-serving advocacy to cancel the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security, owned by a famous ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a. Tompolo.

    The Chairman, IPC, Livingstone Wechie, said yesterday in Port Harcourt that instead of some aggrieved stakeholders calling for the cancellation, they should rather demand their integration into the contract.

    He said: “We have observed this unwarranted trend and advised that what is of most importance is the needed integration of stakeholders across the region, instead of the destructive campaign anchored on a pull-down syndrome. We should be asking for more opportunities than pushing for cancellation.”

    Wechie recalled that the idea of pipeline surveillance contract was first muted by Annkio Briggs under the late President Umaru Yar ‘Adua’s administration during the pre-negotiation stages for the amnesty programme, but was opposed by certain Niger Delta stakeholders, who felt it was not deserving for armed agitators to handle it.

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    He said: “To be fair, during the armed struggle for Niger Delta emancipation and resource ownership, lives were lost and our Ijaw compatriots played a leading role while acknowledging the intellectual contributions of some respected Ikwerre players being a leading stakeholder ethnic block in oil and gas infrastructure as well as other ethnic groups, which made their contributions.

    “It is noteworthy that Tantita Security is not the only company awarded the pipeline surveillance contract in the region. The call for its cancellation smacks of personal vendetta.

    “There are others or another pipeline surveillance contract allegedly linked to the Olu of Warri and all must be properly engaged and come to the table with a view to harmonise and resolve the outstanding issues to avoid giving a dog a bad name without justification by calling out only Tompolo’s contract.

    “Finally, Niger Delta must avoid the plot to use this pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tompolo through his company to cause disaffection among stakeholders. It is public knowledge that some known stakeholders are already accommodated by Tompolo within the contract and this virtue must be commended while we demand the decentralisation of the contract to accommodate others.

    “Therefore what is mostly needed now is not infighting, but the galvanisation of relationships across the region to engineer a sense of ownership by the people. It is highly recommended that the issues should be resolved on a roundtable in the interest of peace and development.”

  • ‘Don’t succumb to blackmail against Tompolo’s contract renewal’

    ‘Don’t succumb to blackmail against Tompolo’s contract renewal’

    Agroup, the South-South Professionals & Transparency Initiative (SSPTI), has appealed to the Federal Government not to succumb to the ongoing “blackmail” against the renewal of the pipeline surveillance contract of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL), so as to sustain improvement in Nigeria’s crude oil output.

    It made the appeal in a statement, saying the security outfit owned by former Niger Delta agitator, Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a. Tompolo, had done well in policing critical assets across the region, hence the need for renewal of the contract.

    The statement was signed the group’s Chairman and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ugochukwu Alozie and Kayode Ayomide, an engineer; and made available to reporters in Warri, Delta State.

    SSPTI described those working against the contract renewal as enemies of the nation and Niger Delta in particular.

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    It said available statistics on crude oil theft showed drastic reduction in pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering prevalent in the area before the security contract was awarded to Tantita last August.

    The statement said: “South South Professionals & Transparency Initiatives (SSPTI) as the name implies is a group made up of professionals drawn from fields of human endeavours with diverse ethnic background, but resident in states across the Niger Delta.

    “Our members are bonded by convictions to promote good governance through probity and accountability of public funds, as well as ensuring a secure environment for the nation’s critical assets towards the realisation of an egalitarian society where our common patrimony will be protected for ourcollectivegood.

    “We have watched with keen interest the blackmailing, falsehood, as well as political and personal interest that had taken place in recent times over the renewal of pipelines surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services and we made bold to say enough is enough of the desperate efforts by some cabals to hijack the security contract for selfish reasons.”

    According to the group, some newly appointed politicians and lawmakers, mostly from the zone, alongside some self-seeking ex-militants want to either hijack the contract or take a good percentage of it as their entitlement.

     “It is evident that these cabals within the corridors of power of the present administration are working in conjunction with a section of the military who are not too comfortable with the uncompromising nature of the Tantita operatives along the creeks while carrying out their illicit oil deals.

    “From available statistics at our disposal, it is evident that illegal oil deals across the region have reduced drastically in the last one year when the surveillance contract was awarded to Tantita, as against what was experienced in previous years when cases of crude oil theft rose embarrassingly, even with the intimidating presence of the military in our area.

    “We are, therefore, using this medium to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to succumb to any kind of pressure or influence from any quarter not to renew the contract of Tantita Security Services, in order to sustain the obvious improvement in the nation’s crude oil capacity production per day.

    “We also want to appeal that President Tinubu, as the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources, understands the need to protect the environment of the people along coastal areas from severe pollution of the waterways, as a result of illegal bunkering activities, which have reduced drastically in recent time due to the effectiveness of Tantita operatives in checkmating criminal activities in the region.”

  • Navy dismisses 3 for stealing Tompolo’s property

     

     The Nigerian Navy on Thursday dismissed three of its personnel over theft of some equipment belonging to Mr Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) in Warri.

    The dismissed personnel are: Petty Officer Ekong Samuel, Leading Seaman Elijah Sagwada and Seaman Usman Shuaibu.

    Briefing newsmen in Warri, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Delta, Cdr. Ibrahim Dewu, said that the personnel were also sentenced to five -month imprisonment each by the Navy Court Martial.

    According to him, the convicted personnel will be handed over to the authorities of the Nigerian Prisons in Okere, Warri.

    Dewu said that the navy would not shield any of its personnel who indulged in criminal activities.

    He said the affected personnel were apprehended in June at Mieka Jetty, Warri South where they were posted to on keeping duty.

    Dewu said that the convicts were tried in accordance with the navy standard rules.

    He said that sometimes in June, some personnel posted to Mieka Jetty on keeping duty were caught stealing some of the equipment in that jetty.

    “When the report was made to the base, they were apprehended alongside their civilian collaborators.

    “Investigation was carried out and a court martial was recommended to try the three personnel from NNS Delta.

    “What you see today is the sentence that was given after the court martial.

    “We are carrying out the naval procedure for a dismissal, and we are going to send them to prison after the dismissal.

    “They were first dismissed, after which they were de-kitted and now they are going to serve five months jail term in prison.

    “The Nigerian Navy has never and will never condone any case of indiscipline, especially issues that will bring disrepute to the service,” he said. (NAN)

     

  • Police nab Naval officer, two others for stealing

    The Delta State Police Command says it has arrested a naval personnel and two other persons for the attempted theft of properties belonging to ex-militant Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo.

    The naval personnel identified as Lance Corporal Usman Shaibu was arrested alongside the driver of a Mercedes Benz self- loader, Okugbe Lucky and Chime Chukwuka.

    A transformer was recovered on Mercedes Benz self -loader with registration number XE 763 BEN, The Nation gathered.

    The Nation gathered that the arrested officer who confessed to the crime named other accomplices who fled the scene as Staff Sergeant P.O Ekon and Sergeant L.S. Elijah.

    Aside the transformer recovered from the suspects, The Nation gathered, that another transformer is missing

    The properties were seized by the federal government about two years ago after the fugitive ex-militant leader was declared wanted.

    The property, located along Chevron Clinic Road, Opposite DBS, off the NPA expressway in Warri metropolis has over the past months been allegedly burgled by the syndicate and items sold off.

    The Nation gathered that following a tip-off, policemen attached to the “A” Division of the Nigerian Police Force Warri, swooped on the suspects.

    A truckload of electricity transformers stolen from the property were recovered.

    It was gathered that the suspects may have sold equipment worth over N3 billion before they were apprehended.

    It was learnt that the suspects are being detained at the “A” Division Police Station, Warri.

    George Ekpemukpolo, younger brother to Tompolo told The Nation that he alerted the police after he got an anonymous call at 6.45p.m. of movement within his brother’s the premises.

    Delta Police image maker, DSP Andrew Aniamaka confirmed the arrest of the suspects.