The Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Monday Obukohowo Whiskey, Udurhie I, has praised High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo for exhibiting patriotism in the execution of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Service Nigeria Limited, TSSNL, a company the latter has stake in.

The commendation is coming on the recent interception of an oil vessel by the operatives of Tantita near Escravos in Delta State on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, over its suspicion of engagng oil bunkering activities in the region, though the allegation is being denied by the company that owns the vessel.

“I think every Nigerian should commend High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, for his boldness, courage, patriotism, steadfastness for standing to defend the national economy against all expectations," the traditional ruler said over the development.

“What Tompolo is doing today is taking the highest risk any human on planet earth can take against an organized cabal. A cartel has put themselves into a group, they have made so much money, but one individual being propelled by patriotism is calling them to order.

"We do not expect that every security would support Tompolo, we do not expect that they should be happy, but every Nigerian should know that the economic life wire of this nation is what Tompolo is sustaining; that is what Tompolo is protecting," His Majesty added.

While the Udurhie I prayed for divine protection over Tompolo and his operatives, he attributed the former warlord's effort to patriotism and called for not only the expansion of the contract to expose more sinister agendas in the war against oil theft, but that sponsors behind oil theft be brought to book.

“I have been following up on the episode (interception of MT PRAISEL). We are aware of what is happening in the river, and for an individual to have that boldness, such boldness can only come from patriotism. If you are not patriotic, you cannot have such boldness. Therefore, the National Security Adviser should get to the root of the matter, let’s for once call a spade a spade. The security people involved in bunkering should not just be called to order, they should prosecute them. Let them pay dearly.

“Since the project of Tantita started, our rivers are beginning to be clean again; the aquatic life is coming back. The people of this region are solidly behind Tompolo, the traditional institution is solidly behind Tompolo, and the government should also be solidly behind him, and properly fund him.”

Speaking further he added: "In fact, they should expand this project to cover more areas because where Tompolo is covering today is where we are seeing these major arrests. What is happening in the other areas? The oils are everywhere in Niger Delta, expand his scope to cover more areas, and you will see more dirty exposure that will come up. That is my candid opinion.

"President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should wake up; the happenings in the Niger Delta, the stealing of oil is an organized crime against the economic survival of this country. They should commend Tompolo and not victimize him,” the vocal monarch added.

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