Former leader of the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, has accused the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy of shielding crude oil thieves.
The Nigeria Delta activist, whose company was recently awarded a pipeline security contract, made the incriminating remark against the military in an interview with Channels TV.
The security contract, approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, which sparked controversy is to protect oil lines in the six South-South States. It is worth about N50 billion per year.
Tompolo, the former MEND Commander, has vowed to stop oil theft in the region.
“A lot of people are running helter-skelter because they know that there is nothing in this country concerning the riverine that I don’t know,” he said.
Delta-based Tompolo, an Egbesu chief priest, disclosed that youths engaged for the job in other States would soon commence work.
“Once they are fully engaged, we will now call security agencies to call their people to order.
“When you are coming from Warri (capital of Delta), you see security boats all over the place.
“If you look at the whole setting, where this illegal bunkering is taking place…If you have one Navy gunboat, one Army gun boat, the extreme end is where the real bunkering is taking place,” he alleged.
