Ex-militant
Leaders in the Niger Delta are in conflict over the multi-million-naira pipeline protection contract.
Sunday PUNCH
reports.
According to insiders, the issue arises due to a contract granted to a firm associated with the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, along with the extension of a $144 million deal for Tantita Security Services, run by former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, widely recognized as Tompolo.
Uncertainties surrounding the future renewal and distribution of the contract have arisen subsequent to the leadership transition at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. This followed President Bola Tinubu’s dismissal of the previous Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, and his appointment of a new executive team.
Tompolo’s contract
Sunday PUNCH
It appears that Tompolo’s contract involves continuing with pipeline monitoring, coastal defense, and protecting crucial infrastructure in the Niger Delta area, which was initially assigned to him under the previous presidency of Goodluck Jonathan.
Sources indicate that the NNPCL extended the contract in October 2024, and Tantita anticipates another renewal in 2025.
Our reporters discovered that certain former militant leaders, under the impression they deserved a portion of the Olu of Warri and Tompolo’s deals, have been complaining and trying to provoke unrest since the beginning of 2025.
Some former militants charged Tompolo with cornering the contract even though pipelines ran through their home territories, whereas others contended that the Olu of Warri shouldn’t have received a deal to safeguard pipelines within Rivers State.
Insiders told
Sunday PUNCH
suggesting that the unrest could be behind recent pipeline assaults across portions of Rivers State, cautioning that sabotage at oil installations may continue unless the discord among former militants is addressed.
On February 10, unknown assailants targeted security personnel protecting an oil pipeline in Okporowo, which belongs to the Igbu Orlukwor clan within the Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State. Against a backdrop of escalating political tensions in the region, an explosion took place on the Trans Niger Pipeline located in the Aluu community of Emohua LGA on March 16.
The explosion led to the demise of an alleged vandal, and law enforcement apprehended one individual connected to the event a few days thereafter.
On March 18, law enforcement apprehended an individual who attempted to target an oil pipeline for sabotage within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. This person was discovered with explosives meant to destroy a pipeline owned by Oando.
Deji Adeyanju, a human rights attorney and advocate, sounded the warning about the deaths of staff members from Tantita Security Services, urging law enforcement organizations to promptly and forcefully address those responsible as well as their backers.
“This will not only provide significant economic benefits but also enable us to meet our OPEC quota, which is vital for our national interests,” he said in a statement.
Asari Dokubo’s grouse
Once an activist from the Niger Delta, and now the ruler of Torusarama Piri ( Elem Kalabari ), Asari Dokubo has been outspoken against Tompolo’s deal for pipeline security.
In a single video combining three parts and viewed by
Sunday PUNCH
Dokubo alleged that Tompolo had taken control of a contract that was intended for all former militant leaders.
The video, posted on March 24 by a verified X account called ‘Lord of Warri,’ included a harsh criticism of Tompolo’s management of the contract.
Dokubo stated, “Under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, he granted a coastal defense project to Tompolo. Our team, which included me, met with the ex-president who claimed the contract was intended for everyone involved. However, when we attempted to discuss this matter with Tompolo, he insisted that the contract belonged solely to him. We refrained from making waves at the time. Each year during those three years, he received $144 million yet provided nothing to anyone else. There wasn’t much more we could do; we simply let things be.”
Now, they are misleading everyone into believing that the Olu of Warri holds the pipeline protection contract for Rivers State. This is false. My focus here is specifically on Kalabari, not Rivers State as a whole. An 83-kilometer-long pipeline running through Kalabari—from my hometown of Kula, via Elama, up to Cawthorne Channel—was assigned exclusively to him. Some claim he isn’t greedy, but this individual firmly rejected sharing after receiving $144 million, funds meant according to the president for our collective benefit. Ateke Tom and Boyloaf can attest to this.
If the Olu of Warri had been awarded the Rivers State pipeline security contract, how would his strategy differ from Tompolo’s? Did Tompolo seek assistance from anyone after getting the contract? Was the Olu of Warri passively waiting for people to visit him at his palace upon receiving the task? Not at all. One must be modest, engage with those around you, and convince them despite their initial reluctance.
Has anyone received a portion of Tompolo’s contract from him now? He has brought in the Olu of Warri to generate public support, hoping people will rally against him. That won’t happen.
For those considering coming forward, make sure you do so at your own pace. Among you, isn’t someone employing the military to apprehend and eliminate individuals? It’s clear you cannot confront them directly since you’re sending soldiers after others instead. Rest assured, no army would pursue me. Keep this in mind. If we were to face off, it would be between just the two of us.
The video, reportedly outdated according to an assistant of a former militant, was coupled with a statement from the
X
The user alleged that Tompolo was cornering the contracts forpipeline protection.
The user mentioned that the Olu of Warri’s agreement in Rivers State was granted with the purpose of safeguarding pipelines within the Itsekiri and Ilaje regions.
If you’re referring to the Olu’s contract, we should clarify—it pertains to Rivers State, not Delta State. This agreement only extended to include certain Itsekiri and Ilaje regions last year. The Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) incorporated the Itsekiris, Urhobos, Isokos, and Ijaws into this arrangement.
More than 60% of unemployed youth are receiving monthly salaries due to the efforts of the Olu of Warri. Also, we should clarify that when contracts for Bayelsa and Rivers States were granted to the firm where the Olu served as chairman, he had not assumed his role at that time. Additionally, unlike some security agencies who continue to engage in abductions and unlawful detention—even though it falls outside their mandate—he did not resort to such practices.
The Olu did not insist on people bowing down before him; instead, he divided the contract among stakeholders ensuring smooth operations in those regions without causing any trouble. He did not keep everything for himself. Tantita falls far short of matching PINL standards. There were no human rights violations, nor any underhanded dealings. Consult the Ijaws, Ogonis, Ibibios, and Ikwerres who have collaborated with the Olu—there has been no criticism whatsoever. Any differing accounts are merely political distractions created by competing contractors attempting to create conflict.
Attacks on Tantita
A former militant leader, who requested confidentiality, verified for
Sunday PUNCH
that the contracts awarded to Tompolo and the Olu of Warri had been generating controversy in the Niger Delta.
As per his statement, Dokubo, Ateke Tom, and Victor Ebikabowei, who goes by the nickname Boyloaf, along with several other ex-Niger Delta activists, were against Tompolo.
Meanwhile, some of Tompolo’s supporters were demonstrating against the contract granted to the Olu of Warri in Rivers State.
“The Olu of Warri’s agreement encompasses portions of Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. This is a substantial multimillion-naira deal, and protests have erupted as some individuals argue that the contract ought to have been granted to someone from Rivers State,” he explained.
In the midst of the dispute, certain people alleged that employees at Tantita were responsible for assaulting surveillance personnel.
However, certain organizations such as the Niger Delta Renaissance Network and the Niger Delta Environmental Justice Coalition have recently come forward to defend the company, alleging that some former militant leaders are orchestrating a ‘media assault’ against Tompolo.
“These carefully planned attacks on characters are not only baseless; they pose a risk to derailing the crucial work being done by Tompolo and his team,” stated Abalagha Adawari, the spokesperson for NDEJC.
Additionally, the Tantita Security Service refuted claims regarding assaults on monitoring personnel.
Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, who leads the Press Unit at the organization, stated that the security force had no involvement in any illegal acts.
“Tantita is prohibited from targeting any surveillance personnel, and we have no connection to illegal operations. Additionally, there is no dispute between Tompolo and the Olu of Warri,” he declared.
Yet, an additional high-ranking officer from Tantita Security Services, speaking to our correspondent under conditions of confidentiality, stated that it would be inappropriate for anyone to engage in conflict with Tompolo due to the contract extension.
“The contract was extended last year, and I believe there’s no reason for anyone to be surprised about it now. Regardless, those who have concerns regarding the contract should address them directly with the NNPCL. The footage you’re mentioning is from some time ago,” he said.
The representative refuted the claim that Tompolo’s associates were encouraging certain individuals to oppose the Olu of Warri due to his contract extension.
Regarding the assault on Tantita’s staff, the official stated, “The murder of our security team members is an inherent risk of their role. I don’t believe this incident is linked to any crisis or discord.”
In response to the issue, former police officer August Onyewadume urged ex-militants to cease their attacks on pipelines, stating that this activity was detrimental to national interests.
He condemned the assault on the pipelines and the strife between former militants, stating, “The Niger Delta continues to suffer from severe environmental damage and contamination, and none of the petroleum companies operating in the region are adequately tackling this problem.”
Tompolo is an individual from the Ijaw community. Contracts ought to rotate among everyone involved. The administration should engage in comprehensive discussions with these former militant leaders and determine which individuals are capable of managing the pipeline responsibilities to avoid any issues since some people believe they are being excluded.
Sunday PUNCH couldn’t contact the Olu of Warri for comments regarding the contract.
Nevertheless, the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, High Chief Oma Eyewuoma, instructed our correspondent to contact PINL, stating that the palace was unable to comment on the issue.
“Redirect your inquiry to the managing director of the company. The palace has no affiliation with the company. They operate independently, and thus, it is outside the purview of the palace to address any matters related to the company,” he said.
However, attempts to reach the two phone numbers listed on PINL’s website went unanswered.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).