Illegal oil pipelines: Tompolo has questions to answer – CNG

The Coalition of Northern Groups has said there is more to the exposure of some illegal oil pipelines by operatives of the Tantita Security Services Limited, the surveillance outfit of ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, than meets the eye.

They stated that the development left much to be desired.

The Director, Strategic Communications of the group, Mr Samaila Musa, stated that Tompolo had some questions to answer as to how he was able to quickly detect illegal pipelines despite many years of military intervention.

Tompolo had discovered major tapping points on the Trans-Forcados/Ramos Pipeline in Delta State, through which International Oil Companies, security officials, oil bunkerers and locals colluded to ‘bleed the country’ for about nine years.

These discoveries were made after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited awarded Tompolo a N48bn pipeline surveillance contract.

Speaking further, Musa noted that the North could not be deceived by the “arranged performance” by Tompolo and his team.

“The issue of Tompolo is like giving a thief something to keep for you. To a large extent, you are guaranteed that it would be safe with him, because who else would have been the best to do this? That is what is playing out. He knows the terrain and the people who were in the trade with him in the past.

“It was very easy for him because he already knew where all these pipes were. He is only telling us that he went to his people and told them that, ‘You are no more in my group’.Punch