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Northern Group Lashes At Critics of Tompolo
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
The Arewa Intelligentia Caucus has lambasted General Olarenwaju.the former communications Minister over his negative comments on a pipeline surveillance companies engaged by the federal government.
A statement jointly signed by the President of the group, Abubakar Ciroma and Nasiru Adamu , the publicity secretary released on Wednesday frowned at the unguarded utterances credited to the retired general and sone self appointed groups.
He said it is a figment of imagination for anyone or group to contemplate that the military and the security company Tantita are colluding to encourage oil thefts in the Niger Delta rather than protecting same.
The statement further maintained those that are afraid of Tompolo and the security outfit, Tantita are at work .
He described them variously those at work are dissidents who failed to influence government to turn down it’s renewal, illegal bunkerers that the company had rose against their activities, those who also lost bid to secure the security job, as well as their bid to decentralize the security job.
They also accused them of their inability to plant a surrogate in the presidential amnesty program , and those economic saboteurs whose activities were checkmated by the Tantita security outfit.
The statement further reads..
WHO IS AFRAID OF TOMPOLO IN THE NIGER DELTA AND WANTS HIM EASED OUT?
“On the heels of the March 14, 2024, murder of officers and soldiers of 181 Amphibious Battalion, Nigerian Army Bomadi, in Delta State, Retired Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, former Communication Minister, like a dinosaur emerged out of oblivion to take a swipe at private security companies, hired by the Federal Government to provide surveillance over the nation’s oil assets. ”
“In a follow up, three days, or there about, a faceless group also came out to make a frontal attack at Tompolo and his security surveillance outfit, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).”
” Its grouse was that Tompolo and the murdered Nigerian Army officers and soldiers were involved in oil theft.
Accusations Nigerians see as a lie and unsubstantiated.”
“The questions that arise from the tirades prompt one ask: who is afraid of Tompolo and Tantita and wants their integrity tarnished to get them out of the way?”
“1 They are the frustrated crude oil barons in the Niger Delta, whose illegal crude oil bunkering activities were crippled and flushed out by Tantita Security Services Limited. ”
“2.They are those who lost bids to secure pipelines surveillance and protection contracts.
They were denied contracts because security reports that found them unworthy.”
“3.They are those who failed in their desperate effort to break and decentralize the existing pipelines surveillance contracts of the Federal Government.”
“4.They are the same collectives of disenchanted national economic saboteurs, who lost sleep and peace of mind, because their ill intentions were checkmated by operatives of Tompolo’s Tantita. ”
“5 They think Tompolo once again out smarted them when they failed to plant through the back door, a surrogate in the Presidential Amnesty Programme, as administrator.”
“These people are known to the Federal Government as men having dubious objectives and intentions.
They have never been found worthy of trust. Their criminal activities are well known to the authorities.”
” They are envious of Tompolo for being in a symbiotic and warm relationship with the federal government, to take the nation’s economy out of the woods.
They regularly drag him with petty blackmails out of frustration.
Will engaging in names – calling help their situation?”
“Only genuine repentance from criminality would.
Those who go to equity must appear with clean hands.
The government is not oblivious of their notoriety.
Tompolo is a man of conscience and integrity, vilifying campaigns won’t change public perception of him.”
“For us outside the Niger Delta, we deeply appreciate Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, for stabilizing crude oil production, raising it from 600,000 barrels per day to near 1.7 million barrels. This is patriotism at work and a standing up for the fatherland.”
“The recent collaboration between the Armed Forces and Tantita galvanized the economy, else it would have been in complete shambles. Those Tantita chased out of Niger Delta for crude theft and economic sabotage are fighting back, using decoys like General Olanrewaju retired and others.”
“Tantita’s operations have caused collateral damage to the facilities of the oil syndicates. Equipment worth millions of dollars, used in stealing and siphoning crude were impounded by Tantita. ”
“The thieves have done all they could to manipulate the situation, including running to court and coercing Tompolo. But the situation remains unchanged and dicey for them. ”
“The determination to properly apply the law in the prosecution of the crews of the impounded vessels, MT Kali and MT HARBOR SPIRIT had taken the wind off the sails of the oil syndicates.”
“They have deployed every tactic in the book to fight the system, but their tricks are not working. The court order, which sanctioned the confiscation of the bunkering vessels, their contents and detention of crews is still in place.
No cutting corners this time, the battle to free crude production completely from criminal interference rages. ”
“We are therefore elated that the baron owners of the ships are being held and prosecuted.
This is the first time that the law is being fully applied.
Thanks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for not listening to fifth columns.”
“Tantita’s operation has received accolades from the Presidency, the Service Chiefs, National Assembly (NASS) and a consortium of national newspapers, including the powerful Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).”
“Even the Navy, that initially posed resistance to Tantita backed down, when confronted with the firm’s resolute determination to put an end to the economic sabotage. ”
“A prophet is usually not honoured at home. Desperate oil thieves at home and their international backers of oil barons are those behind efforts to drag Tompolo and Tantita in the mud.”
“They have joined hands with those who either failed in the bid for the pipeline surveillance contracts or failed to in their wicked desire to force the Federal Government to decentralise the ongoing contracts.”
“It is ridiculous to associate Tompolo with the despicable killing of soldiers at Okuama. Is Tompolo from that area? Is Okuama an integral part of Tompolo’s enclave in Gbaramatu kingdom, where he holds the ace?”
“Does Tompolo’s overlordship spread to Urhobo community of Okuama, in Ughelli South Council Area of Delta State, the hotbed of the bloodbath ?
Those smearing him want to create doubts on his character.
They failed in previous attempts. They will also fail in this.”
“The Nigerian Army came public to tell the nation that they know those who murdered their personnel and the cirsumstances leading to the tragic end of the slain troops. Tompolo is as clean as a whistle.”
“And from available intelligence, the wanted leader of the killer gang, one Endurance Okodeh, alias Amagbein, also recently killed a Tantita coordinator in the area.
Okuama does not have oil and gas facilities. So, where was Tompolo taking the soldiers to for bunkering in the araea when they ran into ambush as expressed in the publication?”
“Before Tantita recent alliance with the Nigerian Navy, there were some misconceptions between both parties. The Navy would have exposed Tompolo if he was involved in illegal bunkering, this would have afforded the Navy the much-needed opportunity to strike and nail the ex-Niger Delta militant leader. At the end of the face-off, the Navy and its authorities were forced to eat the humble pies.”
“Fabricating stories of Tompolo’s theft of oil is therefore not credible.
Tompolo should not be distracted. His people and their external cohorts are the one after him for selfish reasons. He should be left alone.”
“Must Tompolo be dragged into everything just to pull him down?
Those of us outside the Niger Delta, especially all right thinking Nigerians are happy with the role Tompolo is playing in the national interest.”
“The syndicate of crude thieves have hired all and sundry to malign and disparage Tantita and other private security companies involved in pipelines surveillance. All their effort seems like water poured on the back of a dock.”
“Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju being one of such individuals. He placed the cart before the horse to his utter embarrassment.”
“The assault on Tompolo and Tantita appears not to bear fruits, because like an octopus, the Federal Government has many tentacles everywhere.
It keeps an eye on Tompolo. The government knows the allegations are not true. The promoters of the smear campaign shall fall flat on their faces and destroy themselves in the process.”
“We in the AREWA INTELLIGENTIA CAUCUS, a broad-based intellectual forum of the three Northern geo-political zones of Nigeria, therefore seizes this opportunity to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to confer a national honour on Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, in acknowledgement of his roles in nation building and development.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of N1.29 billion to the Federal Government in favour of Sterling Bank Plc, following allegations of fraudulent withdrawals due to a system glitch.
According to a statement released on Saturday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Justice Deinde Dipeolu granted the final forfeiture order after hearing a motion on notice dated January 8 and filed by EFCC counsel, Hannatu KofarNaisa.
The funds were reportedly part of a larger sum of N2.5 billion unlawfully withdrawn by certain individuals after a system malfunction at the bank.
Acting on a petition from Sterling Bank, the EFCC launched investigations that led to the tracing of the stolen funds to several bank accounts.
The affected accounts include:M Sharif Inter-Trading and Marketing Company Ltd’s UBA account (N900 million),Mustapha Abubakar’s UBA account (N255.8 million),Mustapha Sharif Abubakar’s UBA account (N12.2 million),Jaiz Bank account (N41.1 million),First Bank account (N19 million), and and Sterling Bank Imal account (N30.8 million).
An interim forfeiture order was earlier granted by the court on March 12, with the directive that it be published in a national newspaper to allow any interested parties to contest the forfeiture. The publication appeared in The Punch on March 24.
KofarNaisa told the court that no objections were filed, and urged the court to grant the final forfeiture as the funds were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Dipeolu, in his ruling, said, “Having gone through the motion and attachments, I find the application meritorious and same is accordingly granted,” ordering the final forfeiture of the N1.29 billion to the Federal Government.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has urged the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the bill aimed at establishing state police forces.
During a joint meeting with members of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Kaduna on Saturday, Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, emphasized the need for this legislative action. He also called for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security strategy to effectively address the recent surge in Boko Haram attacks and violent incidents in the north-central region.
Yahaya indicated that the forum reached a consensus regarding tax reform bills, highlighting the collaborative efforts involved. He commended President Bola Tinubu for engaging with stakeholders and reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive governance.
Through platforms such as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the National Economic Council, Yahaya stated that a productive path forward has been identified, emphasizing the importance of a cooperative approach in managing intergovernmental relations for the benefit of the populace.
The Gombe governor expressed significant concern over the state of infrastructure in Northern Nigeria, noting that many previously awarded projects have suffered from neglect. While recognizing President Tinubu’s dedication to completing key infrastructure initiatives, such as the Kaduna-Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway, he pointed out that other vital projects, including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line and the Kano-Maiduguri expressway, remain unaddressed.
Yahaya stressed the necessity for innovative financing solutions, such as public-private partnerships and infrastructure bonds, to bridge the existing gaps and establish a robust foundation for agricultural production and industrial growth.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the forum declared its intention to create inter-state platforms aimed at enhancing surveillance along shared borders. Additionally, they resolved to collaborate with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to develop strategies for bolstering support for federal security forces.
The forum reiterated its backing for the establishment of state police, urging the National Assembly to take swift action in enacting the necessary legal framework for its implementation.
Currently, the state police bill is under consideration in the National Assembly, proposing to move the term “police” from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
However, some critics caution that such a system could be misused by state governors to suppress dissent. Supporters argue that state police would empower local authorities to effectively address security challenges without relying solely on federal intervention.
Two members of the 135 Special Forces Battalion are currently under investigation for suspected collaboration with ISWAP terrorists, raising significant concerns about national security in Yobe State.
Security operatives intercepted and analyzed the soldiers’ phone conversations, which indicated their involvement in the May 9 abduction of commuters along the Gashua–Azare highway.
A reliable source involved in the investigation reported that the soldiers allegedly disclosed the movements of their patrol team along the Buratai–Kamuya–Azare–Gashua route, facilitating an ambush by ISWAP fighters that temporarily hindered civilian travel until a counter-offensive successfully dispersed the terrorists.
Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama indicated that this betrayal likely allowed the terrorists to orchestrate the ambush. However, the same battalion’s troops quickly intervened, leading to the rescue of four kidnapped civilians and the recovery of weapons and equipment.
Military authorities have initiated a comprehensive internal inquiry into the incident. The two soldiers are presently in custody, and their identities are being withheld pending further investigation.
This development has raised alarms about potential internal sabotage and underscores the urgent need for enhanced intelligence monitoring within military ranks to prevent future breaches and safeguard the integrity of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the North-East.
A senior security official emphasized, “The system will not tolerate any uniformed personnel found collaborating with enemies of the state. The fight against insurgency must be supported by unwavering loyalty and trust.”