A powerful cabal of oil thieves has been accused of orchestrating a malicious international campaign to blackmail key figures fighting oil theft in Nigeria.
The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) raised the alarm, claiming that a rogue group staged a protest at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The protest was aimed at discrediting High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services; Mr Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL); and Dr Dennis Otuaro, Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
In a statement released on Sunday, IYN leaders Frank Ebikabo and Federal Ebiaridor accused the cabal of funding a campaign of lies to undermine the achievements of these individuals. They alleged that the oil thieves, armed with billions of stolen resources, are desperate to derail ongoing efforts to curb oil theft.
“The deadly cabal is collaborating with international allies to attack Nigeria’s leadership and economy,” the IYN statement read.
The protest in New York featured criminal allegations against Tompolo, Kyari, and Otuaro, which the IYN dismissed as false and baseless.
Ijaw Youth leaders called on National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to investigate the perpetrators of this smear campaign and ensure they face justice.
“These unpatriotic characters are conniving with Nigeria’s enemies in their bid to bring back the dark days of unchecked oil theft,” the group stated.
The IYN further urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remain resolute in the fight against oil theft, which has seen a resurgence of crude oil production levels to 1.8 million barrels per day.
Tantita Security Services, under Tompolo’s leadership, has played a pivotal role in combating oil theft in the Niger Delta. The company has dismantled illegal pipelines and curtailed oil smuggling, which previously cost Nigeria billions in revenue.
“Tompolo’s successes have shaken the foundations of a criminal network that thrived for decades,” said Ebikabo.
The IYN believes the cabal’s frustrations stem from their inability to continue exploiting Nigeria’s oil resources. They pointed out that some members of this cabal had unsuccessfully lobbied for positions within the Presidential Amnesty Programme, further fueling their grievances against Otuaro and other officials.
Oil theft has long plagued Nigeria’s economy, with billions of dollars lost annually. Before recent reforms, the nation’s crude oil production plummeted, leaving a dent in revenues that fund critical infrastructure and social programmes.
Experts estimate that Nigeria loses over 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily to illegal bunkering and smuggling. This activity has enriched a small elite while leaving communities in the oil-producing Niger Delta impoverished.
President Tinubu’s administration has made strides in reversing this trend, aided by partnerships with security outfits like Tantita and the NNPCL.
The IYN credited these efforts for the current stability in crude oil production but warned that the cabal’s resistance could jeopardise these gains.
The IYN alleged that the cabal has established a vast international network to bolster its blackmail campaign. They claimed that foreign collaborators are providing support to undermine Nigeria’s security and economy.
“The show of shame at the UN headquarters is a most reprehensible attack on Nigeria’s image,” the group declared.
Ijaw youths also condemned the protest as an insult to the country’s sovereignty, urging Nigerians to stand united against such threats.
The IYN called on sister organisations in the Niger Delta to rally behind Tantita Security Services, the NNPCL, and the PAP leadership. They emphasised that unity is crucial in defeating the cabal’s agenda.
“This fight goes beyond Tompolo, Kyari, and Otuaro,” Ebikabo stated. “It is about protecting Nigeria’s economy and national security.”
The group urged Tompolo, Kyari, and Otuaro to remain steadfast in their roles, assuring them of the support of well-meaning Nigerians.
Tompolo, once a feared militant leader, has reinvented himself as a defender of Nigeria’s oil resources. His company, Tantita Security Services, was awarded a government contract to combat oil theft—a move that has drawn both praise and criticism.
While some view him as a hero restoring order in the Niger Delta, others see his involvement as controversial, given his militant past.
Regardless, his efforts have yielded results, with the government reporting significant reductions in oil theft.
The battle against oil theft is not just about stopping criminals. It is a fight for the soul of Nigeria’s economy, which depends heavily on oil revenues.
The IYN’s warnings highlight the high stakes involved, as powerful interests seek to protect their illicit wealth at the expense of the nation.
“Those targeting Tompolo and others are enemies of Nigeria,” Ebikabo declared.
With billions at stake, the fight against oil theft is far from over. But with the support of patriotic Nigerians, the IYN believes that victory is possible.
