By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, has said the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy are complicit in oil theft.
This is also as the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan has said that oil thieves are Nigeria’s biggest enemies and have declared war against the country.
Tompolo said those who steal the country’s oil are working in cahoots with the military and navy.
The Niger Delta activist made the startling revelation in an interview with Channels TV.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari administration recently awarded Tompolo a pipeline security contract.
The deal, which sparked controversy, is to protect oil lines in the six South-South states and is reportedly worth N50billion per year.
Tompolo, former commander of the defunct Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), 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 stated.
Similarly, the Senate President has said that oil thieves are Nigeria’s biggest enemies and have declared war against the country.
Lawan said this during the 2023 budget presentation in the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Friday, October 7.
He stated that oil theft in the country has taken a monumental dimension.
The Senate President who revealed that Nigeria loses between 700,000 and 900,000 oil barrels per day, which has translated to 35% loss in oil revenue, thanked the president for timely presentation of the budget, adding that it would give the National Assembly enough time to consider and pass it.
Lawan said;
“The oil theft in the country has taken a monumental dimension. Nigeria now loses between 700,000 and 900,000 barrels per day, which has translated to 35% loss in oil revenue.
“The oil thieves are worst enemies of the country and have declared war against the country. So, drastic action must be taken to tame the activities of the thieves.”
He concluded by saying that the 2023 budget should target the completion of the ongoing project, especially the legacy project.
