News
Tompolo Accuses Nigerian Navy of Aiding Crude Oil Theft, Calls for Greater Collaboration in War Against Oil Bunkering
… as NBA pledges support for continued fight against oil theft
Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has strongly criticized the Nigerian Navy for its alleged complicity in the theft of crude oil in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking on Tuesday during a visit by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at his Oporoza residence, Ekpemupolo accused Navy operatives of frustrating efforts to combat the rampant theft of Nigeria’s oil wealth.
Ekpemupolo, who is the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a private security firm hired to monitor and protect the country’s oil assets, claimed that the Navy was working against the national interest by colluding with oil thieves. He alleged that Navy personnel were actively providing protection for illegal oil bunkering operations, thus facilitating the theft of crude oil.
“We have encountered numerous instances where the Nigerian Navy has openly thwarted our efforts to stop these oil thieves,” Ekpemupolo said. “In some cases, Navy personnel have escorted stolen crude oil shipments or directly intervened to ensure the safe passage of vessels carrying stolen oil.”
He shared several alarming incidents, including one where Tantita operatives intercepted a vessel carrying stolen crude in Port Harcourt, only for Navy personnel to provide security cover for the vessel and open fire on Tantita’s team and other security officials. A similar incident occurred in Ovwian, Delta State, where Navy officers reportedly subdued Tantita operatives to allow another vessel carrying stolen oil to escape.
Ekpemupolo’s claims of Navy complicity in oil theft come at a time when the Nigerian government, through Tantita and other stakeholders, has been making significant strides in curbing crude oil theft. Tantita Security has been instrumental in monitoring illegal oil activities and has helped increase Nigeria’s oil production from a low of about 1 million barrels per day to 1.8 million barrels in recent months, with hopes to reach 2 million barrels by December 2023.
Despite the setbacks caused by alleged Navy interference, Ekpemupolo reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring Nigeria’s oil production continues to rise. “We will not relent in our efforts. We are working with other patriotic bodies to ensure that the war against oil theft is won,” he said.
The NBA’s National President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), who led the delegation, expressed support for the ongoing efforts to tackle oil theft in the Niger Delta. He commended Tantita Security Services for their role in increasing Nigeria’s oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day and pledged the NBA’s collaboration in the fight against oil theft.
“Our branches in the oil-bearing areas must be deeply involved in addressing the issues of oil theft,” Osigwe said. “It is not just a crime; it is an economic sabotage that affects Nigeria’s ability to meet its OPEC production targets and hampers the nation’s economic growth. We cannot afford to allow this to continue.”
Osigwe also highlighted the broader implications of oil theft, noting its negative impact on the country’s foreign reserves, budgetary stability, and ability to deliver dividends of democracy to citizens. He called for greater cooperation between legal, governmental, and private security agencies to ensure the protection of the nation’s oil assets.
As the conversation unfolded, Ekpemupolo further expressed frustration with the role of lawyers in defending arrested oil thieves, especially those operating on behalf of powerful criminal syndicates. He urged the NBA to be more vigilant and play a constructive role in addressing this issue.
“The legal community must take a hard look at how it is enabling these criminals,” Ekpemupolo said. “When we arrest these thieves, lawyers from Abuja or Lagos are quick to step in and find ways to free them. This has to stop if we are serious about fighting this crime.”
In response, Osigwe acknowledged the challenges in the fight against oil theft and promised that the NBA would work with Tantita and other stakeholders to strengthen the legal framework and ensure that justice is served. He also emphasized the importance of improving the living conditions of Niger Delta communities, which bear the brunt of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration.
“The communities that produce this wealth have often been left behind, and they deserve better,” Osigwe said. “The NBA will continue to support efforts that balance the economic benefits of oil exploration with the need to protect the environment and uplift these communities.”
As both parties agreed to strengthen their collaboration, Ekpemupolo reiterated his commitment to helping Nigeria achieve a target of 2 million barrels of oil per day by December 2023, despite the challenges posed by corruption and sabotage in the oil sector.
Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has strongly criticized the Nigerian Navy for its alleged complicity in the theft of crude oil in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking on Tuesday during a visit by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at his Oporoza residence, Ekpemupolo accused Navy operatives of frustrating efforts to combat the rampant theft of Nigeria’s oil wealth.
Ekpemupolo, who is the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a private security firm hired to monitor and protect the country’s oil assets, claimed that the Navy was working against the national interest by colluding with oil thieves. He alleged that Navy personnel were actively providing protection for illegal oil bunkering operations, thus facilitating the theft of crude oil.
“We have encountered numerous instances where the Nigerian Navy has openly thwarted our efforts to stop these oil thieves,” Ekpemupolo said. “In some cases, Navy personnel have escorted stolen crude oil shipments or directly intervened to ensure the safe passage of vessels carrying stolen oil.”
He shared several alarming incidents, including one where Tantita operatives intercepted a vessel carrying stolen crude in Port Harcourt, only for Navy personnel to provide security cover for the vessel and open fire on Tantita’s team and other security officials. A similar incident occurred in Ovwian, Delta State, where Navy officers reportedly subdued Tantita operatives to allow another vessel carrying stolen oil to escape.
Ekpemupolo’s claims of Navy complicity in oil theft come at a time when the Nigerian government, through Tantita and other stakeholders, has been making significant strides in curbing crude oil theft. Tantita Security has been instrumental in monitoring illegal oil activities and has helped increase Nigeria’s oil production from a low of about 1 million barrels per day to 1.8 million barrels in recent months, with hopes to reach 2 million barrels by December 2023.
Despite the setbacks caused by alleged Navy interference, Ekpemupolo reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring Nigeria’s oil production continues to rise. “We will not relent in our efforts. We are working with other patriotic bodies to ensure that the war against oil theft is won,” he said.
The NBA’s National President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), who led the delegation, expressed support for the ongoing efforts to tackle oil theft in the Niger Delta. He commended Tantita Security Services for their role in increasing Nigeria’s oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day and pledged the NBA’s collaboration in the fight against oil theft.
“Our branches in the oil-bearing areas must be deeply involved in addressing the issues of oil theft,” Osigwe said. “It is not just a crime; it is an economic sabotage that affects Nigeria’s ability to meet its OPEC production targets and hampers the nation’s economic growth. We cannot afford to allow this to continue.”
Osigwe also highlighted the broader implications of oil theft, noting its negative impact on the country’s foreign reserves, budgetary stability, and ability to deliver dividends of democracy to citizens. He called for greater cooperation between legal, governmental, and private security agencies to ensure the protection of the nation’s oil assets.
As the conversation unfolded, Ekpemupolo further expressed frustration with the role of lawyers in defending arrested oil thieves, especially those operating on behalf of powerful criminal syndicates. He urged the NBA to be more vigilant and play a constructive role in addressing this issue.
“The legal community must take a hard look at how it is enabling these criminals,” Ekpemupolo said. “When we arrest these thieves, lawyers from Abuja or Lagos are quick to step in and find ways to free them. This has to stop if we are serious about fighting this crime.”
In response, Osigwe acknowledged the challenges in the fight against oil theft and promised that the NBA would work with Tantita and other stakeholders to strengthen the legal framework and ensure that justice is served. He also emphasized the importance of improving the living conditions of Niger Delta communities, which bear the brunt of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration.
“The communities that produce this wealth have often been left behind, and they deserve better,” Osigwe said. “The NBA will continue to support efforts that balance the economic benefits of oil exploration with the need to protect the environment and uplift these communities.”
As both parties agreed to strengthen their collaboration, Ekpemupolo reiterated his commitment to helping Nigeria achieve a target of 2 million barrels of oil per day by December 2023, despite the challenges posed by corruption and sabotage in the oil sector.
