ABUJA: The Defence Headquarters has rejected the claims made by Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, accusing Nigerian Navy personnel of aiding in oil theft. Tompolo, the Chief Executive Officer of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, had specifically alleged that the Navy was undermining efforts to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking on Monday while hosting the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association in Delta State, Tompolo claimed that the Navy was working against other security agencies and private security firms assigned to monitor the country’s economic assets in the region. He recounted an incident where Navy personnel allegedly confronted other security officers to assist oil thieves in evading capture.
Defence head quarters, Abuja
In response, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, dismissed the allegations during a bi-weekly military operations update on Thursday, calling the claims “laughable.” He emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Navy and other security agencies, stating that the goal should be collective progress rather than conflict.
We seek cooperation, not conflict, Buba remarked. We want to work together to increase the country’s oil production, which is vital for our economy. All this back-and-forth needs to stop; we need to act in the nation’s best interest.
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Buba also criticized the allegations as “cheap blackmail” and reiterated the military’s commitment to working in partnership with various security agencies and stakeholders to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
He highlighted that the ongoing counterinsurgency operations across the country aimed to locate and neutralize terrorist groups, with significant progress being made.
Regarding the recent attack on a military checkpoint in Abia State, Buba clarified that military forces were targeting terrorists and not innocent civilians. He refuted claims of reprisal attacks against the community, insisting that the military was a professional force focused on dismantling terrorist groups.
Nigeria Navy officers at creek of Niger/Delta fighting oil thefts
Our targets are the terrorists, and we will go after them. We will break them into pieces, Buba said, noting that military operations had resulted in the deaths of 115 terrorists, the arrest of 289 suspects, and the rescue of 138 kidnapped victims over the past week.
In addition, he revealed that the military had successfully recovered 872,070 litres of stolen crude oil and 67,985 litres of illegally refined diesel, valued at ₦921 million, dismantling illegal refining operations in the process
