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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.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared four individuals wanted over the alleged fraud perpetrated on crypto bridge exchange (CBEX), a trading platform.
The four suspects are Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, and Seyi Oloyede.
More to follow…
The Oodua Integrity Group, a Nigerian civil society organisation, has called on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and arrest an alleged gun runner, land grabber,popularly called then insert Lucky Blessings Abuah aka bullets of Achala Ibusa village operating in Asaba and Ibuzor, Delta State, accusing him of orchestrating criminal activities with the aid of rogue police officers.
Tosin Olaoluwa, the group’s South-South coordinator, made the appeal following intelligence gathered from concerned residents.
The suspect, identified as Achala Ibusa but popularly known as “Bullet,” is accused of running a network involving illegal arms trafficking, land grabbing, and cult-related activities.
Olaoluwa claimed Bullet operates with the protection of police officers from Rivers State, in violation of regulations prohibiting officers from working outside their command without approval.
According to the group, four AK-47 rifles were recently discovered hidden in a house in Ibuzor.
Two mobile police officers guarding the property reportedly distanced themselves from the find, raising suspicions of their involvement with Bullet, who is allegedly a leader of the Viking cult.
The Oodua Integrity Group further alleged that an assistant commissioner of police is complicit in Bullet’s activities.
The group highlighted that up to 10 mobile police officers are attached to Bullet, despite IGP Egbetokun’s recent directive to withdraw such personnel from individuals not legally entitled to their services.
“We urge the IGP to take immediate action to arrest the culprit in the interest of the general public,” Olaoluwa said, describing Bullet as a miscreant exploiting government security agents to perpetrate crimes.
In a separate incident, the group claimed that security agents from an agency in Abuja, acting on intelligence, were prevented from arresting Bullet by his police escorts.
The officers, reportedly from Rivers State, allegedly used tear gas and fired shots to obstruct the operation.
The Oodua Integrity Group warned that Bullet’s activities, including stockpiling AK-47s and other weapons in Asaba and Ibuzor, pose a significant threat to public safety.
They called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and the immediate apprehension of those involved.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond to the allegations. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The competition and consumer protection tribunal has upheld the $220 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms Incorporated by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
In a statement on Friday by Ondaje Ijagwu, the agency’s director for corporate affairs, FCCPC said the tribunal also awarded $35,000 to the commission as the cost of investigation.
On July 19, 2024, FCCPC imposed a fine of $220 million on Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, for multiple data privacy violations.
However, Meta said it would appeal the fine.
The case stemmed from a 38-month joint investigation by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the privacy practices and consumer data policies of WhatsApp and Meta.
Delivering judgment on Thursday in Abuja, the tribunal led by Thomas Okosun ruled that the FCCPC acted within its constitutional and statutory powers in investigating and sanctioning the companies for alleged anti-competitive and exploitative practices.
The tribunal dismissed the appeals filed by Meta and WhatsApp, which challenged the legal basis of the commission’s findings and orders.
Instead, it upheld the commission’s position on nearly all contested issues.
Gbolahan Elias (SAN) led WhatsApp and Meta’s legal teams, while Babatunde Irukera led the FCCPC’s legal team.
According to the statement, both teams had made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28.
‘FCCPC ADHERED TO DUE PROCESS’
The tribunal, in its ruling, found that the FCCPC adhered to due process and acted within the law.
It resolved issues one to seven primarily in favour of the commission.
“The Tribunal resolved Issues 1 to 7 largely in favour of the FCCPC, dismissing the appellants’ objections to the Commission’s findings, orders, and legal competence,” the statement reads.
“One of the central issues (Issue 3), which alleged a breach of fair hearing, was decided in favour of the Commission, with the Tribunal affirming that the FCCPC fully discharged its quasi-judicial responsibilities by affording the appellants ample opportunity to respond.
“The Tribunal found no violation of constitutional due process.
“On Issue 4, which questioned the Commission’s powers in data protection and privacy, the Tribunal held that the FCCPC acted within its statutory mandate, reaffirming its authority under Section 104 of the FCCPA to regulate competition and consumer protection even in regulated industries.
“On Issue 5, which challenged the Commission’s findings regarding Meta’s privacy policies, the tribunal also resolved in the FCCPC’s favour.
“The Tribunal found no error in the Commission’s conclusions and held that the privacy policy in question did, in fact, offend Nigerian law.
“While issue 7 was largely resolved in favour of the commission, the tribunal set aside Order 7 of the commission’s final order, stating that it lacked sufficient legal basis.”
Commenting on the judgment, Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman (EVC) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the FCCPC, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a landmark judgment reinforcing the commission’s mandate to protect consumers and ensure fair market practices.
He commended the commission’s legal team for their diligence.
Bello reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to enforcing the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.