A Curious Case:House of Reps to Investigate Purchase Of 6 Warships by Militant

The House of Representatives Thursday said that it would investigate the purchase of six warships procured by ex-militant leader, Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a, Tompolo.

According to the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, describing the alleged purchase of the six warships by Tompolo as “scary,” saying that it raised security concerns at a time the country was facing tough security challenges.

“That function should have been performed by the Navy.

“When we resume in January, our relevant committees will be looking into the issue,” he concluded.

Sometime in 2011, the Federal government awarded a pipeline surveillance contract worth $103.4m (about N15 billion)   to Tompolo’s company—Global West Vessel Specialist Limited (GWVSL). 

It was essentially to protect the nation’s water ways so the theft of crude which was going on at the time would be curbed. The underlying argument was that since the militants are from the creeks, they know the in-and-out of the crannies of the creek.

But three years down the line, the volume of oil theft is unprecedented and unimaginable. All the oil companies are wailing. Even the federal government is perplexed, wringing its hands in near helplessness.  From Shell to Chevron, down to Agip, Total, etc, it is the same story: brazen and unbridled theft of crude.

Ekpemupolo is one of the richest men in Nigeria his wealth being principally from government [patronage and illegal oil bunkering.He has close ties to the ruling PDP and is currently allying with the Nigerian government against militancy and piracy in the Niger Delta.

For years Ekpemupolo was a high ranking commander in various militant groups in the Niger Delta. Ekpemupolo's wealth played a major role in purchasing stockpiles of weaponry for MEND and also funded his militants. Ekpemupolo accepted government amnesty on June 27, 2009 and is currently helping the government in tracking down militants who have resisted the amnesty deal. This follows the handing over of weapons by militant commanders in the eastern Delta region in exchange for the promised amnesty and guarantee of jobs and training by the government.

During his time as a military commander he personally executed 11 men, most of whom were members who were accused of complying with the government. MEND was a force to be reckoned with which drove the Nigerian government to grant amnesty to MEND members who decided to surrender.

Since being granted amnesty Ekpemupolo has become a prominent businessman with and estimated net worth of N24 billion ($153 million).