The founder and chairman of a civil society group, the Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum, Comrade Prince Kpokpogri has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard what it described as “blackmail and sponsored propaganda” against Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo over the oil pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
In an open letter addressed to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Chairman of the Forum, Prince Kpokpogri, alleged that some individuals within and outside the Niger Delta were sponsoring sustained media attacks against Tompolo and his company over calls for the decentralization of the surveillance contract.
Kpokpogri described the campaigns as the handiwork of “subversive elements” and “fifth columnists” allegedly driven by selfish interests rather than patriotism.
According to him, while there is nothing wrong with advocating wider participation in pipeline surveillance operations, such agitations should not translate into what he termed a coordinated pull-him-down campaign against Tompolo, whose contributions to the Niger Delta struggle, he said, remain significant.
The activist who is publisher of Integrity Watchdog Magazine and member of the Board of International Human Rights Commission, highlighted Tompolo’s role during the activities of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta and his involvement in the struggle for resource control in the Niger Delta region.
Kpokpogri recalled that several lives were lost during the militancy era between 2006 and 2009, particularly during military offensives in Gbaramatu Kingdom, adding that Tompolo and many of his loyalists made enormous sacrifices during the period.
He also credited Tantita Security Services with contributing to the reduction of crude oil theft and improving Nigeria’s oil production output.
“From oil production levels that once dropped below one million barrels per day to current improvements approaching 1.8 million barrels daily, the contribution of Tantita Security Services to national economic stability cannot be ignored,” Kpokpogri said.
The Anti Corruption and Integrity Forum’s chairman further praised the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, including community empowerment, support for small businesses, and infrastructural assistance across the Niger Delta.
Special mention was made of Kestin Pondi and Matthew Tonlagha for allegedly supporting entrepreneurship and empowering youths and businesses within and outside the region.
Kpokpogri questioned why critics of the current surveillance arrangement did not raise similar concerns during the period when pipeline security contracts were reportedly handled by other private operators, including the late Capt. Idahosa Wells Okunbo, founder of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited (OMSL).
He urged well-meaning Niger Deltans to support ongoing efforts aimed at sanitizing the oil sector, curbing crude oil theft, and protecting critical national assets.
As a critical stakeholder in the Niger Delta, Kpokpogri also appealed to the Federal Government to sustain confidence in Tantita Security Services, citing the company’s familiarity with the riverine terrain and its operational experience in safeguarding oil infrastructure across the Niger Delta.
