- However, the Defence Headquarters dismissed Tompolo’s claims, describing it as ‘cheap blackmail’.
The Defence Headquarters has debunked claims by ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, that the military, particularly Nigerian Navy, is involved in oil theft in Nigeria.
Tompolo, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, which is executing the pipeline protection contract awarded by the Nigerian government, had alleged that the Nigerian Navy is complicit in oil theft going on in the Niger Delta.
Speaking while receiving the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, on Monday, he accused the Navy of working at cross purposes with other state actors and private security outfits tasked with checking oil theft in the Niger Delta.
However, the Defence Headquarters dismissed Tompolo’s claims, describing it as ‘cheap blackmail’.
Speaking at a biweekly update on military operations on Thursday in Abuja, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said Tompolo’s allegations are laughable.
The Defence Headquarters spokesman said: “As to the question regarding the Nigerian Navy and the CEO of Tantita, you see, I’m almost laughing because it’s laughable. But what I want to say about this situation is this: We seek cooperation, not conflict.
“But all this cheap blackmail has to stop. Come on, we should move faster. We need to act in the best interest of our nation, particularly at this time when we need that revenue. We will work together with our partners.”