Four leaders of former Niger Delta militants resolved at the weekend to support the Federal Government in the fight against oil theft, especially illegal bunkering, in the oil-rich region.
According to the Nation, this decision was reached as the former agitators-Mujaheedeen Dokubo-Asari, Ateke Tom; Ajube Bibopiri and Victor Ebukabowei-met at the palace of Tom, who is now the King of Okochiri in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The presence of Dokubo-Asari, a hitherto known rival of Tom, at the meeting came as a surprise to many familiar with the days of militancy in the Niger Delta. Dokubo-Asari is a known staunch supporter of President Tinubu.
During their heydays, Bibopiri was well known in the creeks as General Shoot-at-Sight and Ebukabowei as General Boyloaf.
It was unclear at whose instance the meeting was convened. Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara had on August 26 kicked against awarding all pipeline surveillance contracts to a single firm.
A source close to the ex-agitators mentioned that the meeting centred on the best modalities for executing pipeline contracts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Reports revealed that the ex-agitators have agreed that the best way to resolve the ongoing economic sabotage in the region was for the NNPCL to decentralise pipeline surveillance contracts.
The source discloed that the ex-militant leaders insisted that instead of giving all the contracts to a single firm or an individual, they should be allocated to them in their areas or states of influence.
He said, “Those in attendance shared the objective of intensifying their efforts to combat oil theft in the area and agreed the contract to be decentralised.
“It is apparent that it marked a unified front against the persistent problem of oil theft in the region. The stakeholders are resolute in their commitment to boost collaborative endeavours aimed at safeguarding the pipelines and the interests of the NNPCL”
“This collaborative approach has the potential to be a turning point in the ongoing struggle against oil theft, with far-reaching benefits for the entire region and the Nigerian economy.”
Another main agitator, Government Ekpumpolo alias Tompolo, whose company, Tantita Security Service Limited, was in 2022 awarded an N48bn pipelines protection contract was absent from the meeting. The contract was recently renewed by the NNPCL.
Another source from Bayelsa State said that the new contract includes offshore surveillance.
He said, “Tantita’s pipeline surveillance contract has been renewed for another three years. I don’t know the details but I heard additional responsibilities have been included. I was told offshore surveillance was also included.”
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youths Network has commended President Tinubu and NNPCL for renewing Tantita’s contract.
Its Coordinator, Frank Ebikabo and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, said in a statement Sunday that the President displayed uncommon leadership in the pursuit of the collective good of Nigeria.
The group said that the decision was in spite of “a campaign of calumny orchestrated” by a group of self-serving individuals.”
It called the attention of the security agencies, especially the Department of State Services to the Supreme Egbesu Freedom Fighters of Niger Delta, which has issued threats to the NNPC management over the renewed contract.
The group said, “We commend President Bola Tinubu and his team for the renewal of the pipeline protection contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Limited.
“We in the IYN who have monitored the dedication of the Tantita team to the fight against the unprecedented theft of the nation’s resources believe that this President is ready to confront headlong the deadly cabal of oil thieves in Nigeria.
“By this decision, coming especially in the face of the sustained blackmail and pressure put up by detractors working for wealthy and highly influential oil thieves, the President and his government have shown commendable dedication to the cause of Nigerians. We commend him.
“The IYN also has a world of encouragement for the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mallam Mele Kyari who has been dispassionate in facing the challenge of oil theft in Nigeria.
“We urge him to ignore some disgruntled elements who have besieged the media space to blackmail him. Kyari has done the right thing by recommending the contract for renewal in view of the massive successes recorded by Tantita.
“We call on the Department of State Services to look into a threat by a group of people who under what they call the Supreme Egbesu Freedom Fighters of Niger Delta. This group has threatened the NNPCL GCEO and the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobri, over this issue of a renewed contract that went through the normal procedure for contract award and renewal.”
