The Nigerian Military has condemned the allegations of oil theft made by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo against the Nigerian Navy.
Tompolo, the owner of Tantita Security Services Limited, a private security firm contracted by the Nigerian government to protect the oil pipelines, had alleged that the Nigerian Navy was sabotaging the protection of the nation’s oil pipelines from vandals.
Tompolo made the allegation while paying a visit to the Nigerian Bar Association on Tuesday.
However, reacting to the allegations, the Nigeria Military said Tompolo aims at cheaply blackmailing the military, its forces and the personnel working in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba said the military will not be deterred from carrying out its constitutional responsibility.
According to Buba, the Nigeria Navy and Tompolo’s company have been tasked with the same purpose of ridding criminal off the pipelines.
He said the aim is to increase oil production from the region and ensure that criminals are prevented from attacking the maritime domain.
Buba also noted that what the Military wants is partnership to improve on its responsibilities and not conflict with the owner of Tantia securities.
“As to the question regarding the Nigerian Navy and the Chief Executive of Tantita, you see, I’m almost laughing because it’s laughable. But what I want to say about this sort of situation is this, in this situation, we seek cooperation, not conflict. That’s what we want, that is what our people want.
“We want to increase the crude oil production of our nation to help our nation, that is the mainstay of our economy. We don’t want all this back-and-forth.
“We will work together with all our partners,” Buba stated
