‘We’ve arrested three vessels this year’ — Tompolo vows to intensify fight against crude oil theft

Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, has promised to intensify efforts in the fight against the theft of the nation’s crude oil resources.

Tompolo is the chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), an oil pipeline surveillance, headquartered in Warri, Delta state.

Tompolo made the pledge after winning the 2023 Sun newspaper (courage in leadership) award — the 21st edition — held in Lagos.

In a statement on Sunday, the Sun Newspaper Limited said the Tantita chairman won the award because of his effective execution of the oil pipeline contract awarded to his firm by the federal government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The media firm said Tantita has not only shown dedication in fighting the “virulent cabal” stealing the nation’s oil resources but has also ensured increased daily crude oil production in the country.

Tompolo, represented by Paul Bebenimibo, his media aide, thanked the newspaper for recognising the sustained efforts of TSSNL in protecting the nation’s pipelines and intensifying the fight against the theft of the nation’s crude oil resources.

He said the award would further encourage him to put more effort into the ongoing effective collaboration with the armed forces and security agencies to protect the nation’s pipelines and prevent its crude oil resources from “being stolen by a cabal of unpatriotic Nigerians and their foreign allies”.

“Tantita is not the only one involved in the prosecution of the campaign against the mindless theft of the nation’s resources. The firm is carrying out the job in collaboration with the Nigerian military,” he said.

“I must say that the Nigerian military is doing its best and there has been effective synergy between the military and Tantita, the civil defence and other security agencies. This productive synergy would continue in the interest of our country.

“We discovered a lot of points where illegal oil bunkering activities were taking place. We arrested several vessels and in this year alone we have arrested three vessels involved in the criminal theft of the oil resources in this country.”

Tompolo promised to “build on these achievements” and ensure noticeable improvement in daily oil production for the nation.