By Jacob Abai
For years, the Niger Delta has faced challenges of oil theft and environmental degradation, with foreign ships being used to siphon crude oil and illegal refineries operating unchecked. These activities deprived Nigeria of billions in revenue and impacted local communities. The waterways, once a lifeline for economic activity, became dangerous routes controlled by criminal networks. Lawlessness was the order of the day, and the environment bore the scars of unchecked pollution.
Then came a decisive intervention that disrupted the status quo. The Federal Government, recognizing the urgent need to safeguard Nigeria’s oil assets, awarded a pipeline surveillance contract to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, owned by High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo. With his deep knowledge of the creeks, unparalleled influence, and strong dedication to the region’s peace, Tompolo took up the challenge. In a short time, his efforts led to the dismantling of criminal operations that had held the Niger Delta hostage for years. Oil theft declined drastically, illegal refineries were uncovered and destroyed, and the waterways were reclaimed from pirates.
Tompolo’s intervention changed the region’s dynamics. His extensive network across the region and intimate understanding of the terrain enabled his team to rapidly dismantle illegal oil bunkering operations. From Rivers to Bayelsa, Ondo to Delta, and Akwa Ibom to Edo, the crackdown on oil theft has been decisive. Ships used for illegal refining have been intercepted, criminals have been arrested, and hidden pipelines used for siphoning crude oil have been exposed.
This newfound stability did not sit well with those who thrived on chaos. The same forces that once controlled the illegal oil business, that profited from the suffering of ordinary Niger Deltans, and that manipulated insecurity for personal gain have launched a coordinated blackmail campaign against Tompolo. Their goal is clear: to discredit his work, sabotage the security contract, and return the region to lawlessness so they can resume their criminal activities.
The attacks against Tompolo are nothing but a fight by enemies of the nation. These are individuals and groups who have lost access to the illegal wealth they once amassed through pipeline vandalism and oil bunkering. They are desperate, using every trick in the book—from misinformation to political lobbying—to force the Federal Government to cancel the security contract. But their efforts are driven by greed, not patriotism. They do not care about Nigeria’s economic stability, the well-being of Niger Deltans, or the progress being made in securing the oil industry. All they care about is their personal enrichment, even if it means dragging the country back into crisis.
Since Tantita Security Services took over, the difference has been undeniable. For the first time in decades, people in the Niger Delta can move freely without fear. The environmental damage caused by illegal refining and the negligence of multinational oil companies has been significantly reduced, with rivers once blackened by crude oil beginning to clear up. Fishermen who abandoned their trade due to pollution are returning to the waters, and legitimate businesses are thriving again. The economic sabotage that once crippled Nigeria’s revenue from crude oil exports has been largely contained, thanks to the vigilance of Tompolo and his team.
It is ironic that those who failed to secure the region in the past are the ones now leading the attack against Tompolo. These are individuals who had their chance but did nothing. When oil theft was at its peak, when criminals ran the creeks with impunity, they looked the other way because they were part of the system that benefited from the anarchy. Now that their illegal operations have been dismantled, they are using every means possible to undermine the success of Tantita Security. Their campaign of lies and blackmail is aimed at misleading the Federal Government and the public, creating a false narrative that Tompolo is unfit for the task.
But facts do not lie. The reduction in crude oil losses, the increased revenue for the country, the restoration of peace in the creeks—these are achievements that cannot be ignored. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has demonstrated a firm commitment to Nigeria’s economic recovery, must not fall for the antics of these saboteurs. The surveillance contract with Tantita Security Services is not just about Tompolo; it is about Nigeria’s economic survival. The nation cannot afford to return to the days of rampant oil theft and insecurity. Those who failed before must not be given another chance to compromise national security for their selfish interests.
The war against Tompolo is not a war against one man; it is a war against progress, stability, and the economic future of Nigeria. Those leading this fight are not patriots; they are opportunists who want to drag the Niger Delta back into chaos for their personal gain. But their blackmail will fail because the truth is evident for all to see. The people of the Niger Delta, who have seen the impact of Tompolo’s work firsthand, stand with him. They know that his leadership has brought peace, prosperity, and security to the region.
The Federal Government must remain steadfast in supporting Tantita Security Services. The enemies of progress will continue to shout, to fabricate lies, to manipulate public opinion—but they must not be allowed to succeed. Tompolo has delivered results where others failed, and his commitment to protecting Nigeria’s oil resources remains unshaken. His work must be sustained, not sabotaged. The blackmail against Tompolo is a battle waged by the enemies of Nigeria, and for the sake of the country’s future, they must not be allowed to win.
To be continued…
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