Beyond Illegal Pipelines Discovery

Barely two months ago when High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpomupolo aka Tompolo was
awarded the Pipeline Surveillance Contract through his company, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, the ex-militant chief uncovered many illegal crude oil pipelines utilised by thieves to siphon crude oil for export in different parts of the Niger Delta. This brings those who initially opposed the idea of entrusting such a mission to a former warlord to reconsider their stance.
Since Tompolo and his men accepted the formidable task, it has not been business as usual for the criminals as he strides across the creeks and shores, searching for oil burglars. On October 7, 2022, his security firm arrested a crude oil tanker, MT Deinmo, with International Maritime Organisation (IMO), loaded with an unspecified quantity of crude oil at the Escravos River in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Similarly, a pipeline measuring one kilometre to the shore and another four kilometres to the loading bay, which was abandoned by ExxonMobil at Ogulagha in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta, was allegedly reconnected by oil thieves to load stolen crude oil into export tankers. The illegal pipeline was connected to the 48-inch Trans Forcados Export Trunkline. It is conjectured to be directly situated behind a military security post, less than one kilometre from the Forcados Export Terminal in the Ogulagha community. The discoveries are endless.
Recall that the Federal Government, in August 2022, awarded the pipeline surveillance contract reportedly worth N48 billion annually, at N4 billion per month, to stem ponderous oil theft in the Niger Delta. The contract had educed intense public critique of the government’s decision to engage a non-state actor for such a critical operation. The endeavour set Tompolo and some ex-militant leaders, especially Asari Dokubo, against themselves.
Previous attempts by the Federal Government, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and other relevant stakeholders who were unfamiliar with the area where the pipelines are entombed, failed to achieve the desired results because they were unable to extrapolate the terrain. Accordingly, Tompolo deserves support to achieve notable successes in the nation’s interest and for the empowerment of host communities.
Crude oil cabals all over the Niger Delta region are milking our economy dry. We cannot dispute the NNPCL’s claim that Nigeria is losing more than 600,000 barrels of crude oil daily to economic desecraters. But with the successful stunts of Tompolo and his team, the Corporation has attained a feat it has been unable to carry off for the past 22 years, fighting crude oil theft.
While we highly commend Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for the feat achieved so far in the fray against crude oil stealing, we fault the Nigerian military for setting aflame a vessel laden with stolen oil intercepted by Tompolo’s security operatives. The military lack legal rights to set ablaze an intercepted crude-laden vessel. Rather than resort to setting the vessel afire, the military should have discharged the crude oil contents to NNPCL and inquired into the matter.
We are awestriken that the security agents destroyed the evidence of the alleged crime. Those who razed the ship instead of using legal means to enforce the law must have something they know. They may be complicit in the crime, after all. How can the security agents effectively put through their investigation into the vessel to prosecute those found wanting when the very sensitive and overwhelming evidence has been destroyed? It is condemnable.
One of the reasons why NNPCL chose to engage private firms to secure the pipelines is to avert environmental despoliation by the economic saboteurs. By destroying the vessel, security operatives committed grave environmental degradation, an offence they were engaged to prevent. NNPCL and the Defence Headquarters should call the military to order before they further abuse the environment with impunity. Those security agents involved in combusting the arrested vessel should be examined and prosecuted.
Efforts should be made by military heads and security agencies to determine the destinations of stolen crude oil and prosecute suspected members of the public who are involved in the larceny. The judiciary should grant an accelerated hearing to matters of oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage. It is not enough to take away whatever supposed thieves have stolen and discharge them. It must be understood that the large-scale theft of our oil is among the issues militating against Nigeria’s stability.
Furthermore, it is not enough for illegal crude oil pipelines to be discovered or destroyed, as that may not be sufficient deterrent for the criminals. The Federal Government should divulge the identities of the high-profile individuals behind the oil theft. The nation needs to know the big people or players who are promoters of this kind of business, as they are being caught. It is of irritated concern for Nigeria to be unable to meet with the quota allotted to it by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
To complement Tompolo’s task, the NNPCL must install a monitoring capacity to detect or advise immediately sabotage of oil pipelines happens. The activities of these vandals must be brought to a halt. We must not allow a few criminals to have unleashed access to the nation’s crude oil supply. There should be no hiding place for such felons, and our cooperation with neighbouring countries in halting these crimes should be toughened and tautened.
It is trite knowledge that Nigeria’s oil is being pilfered in a massive proportion. But for oil to be filched, a ship has to be cleared by the Navy to access the nation’s waters. Who approves the ship that comes in, and who steals the oil? Curiously, N1.3 trillion is assumed to be involved in these shady deals. Apart from Venezuela, which is under sanctions, Nigeria is the only OPEC country that has consistently failed to meet its quota. Meanwhile, other countries are asking to produce more. This is the shame of a nation!