Gbenekama dismisses petition over illegal detention, torture, abduction against Tompolo, urges public to disregard

By Monday Peters, Abuja

The Fiyewei of the ancient Gbaramatu kingdom, High Chief Godspower Gbenekana has dismissed allegations that High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo operates an illegal detention facility, involved in unlawful torture and abduction of individuals, describing it as false and are being sponsored by individuals whose alleged illegal activities have been disrupted by the ongoing crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Speaking of the controversy surrounding an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Gbenekana described the author as “a miscreant,” alleging that the accusations were driven by jealousy and the loss of illegal gains.

He maintained that Tompolo works in collaboration with statutory security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), all of which are legally empowered to arrest and prosecute suspects.

According to him, individuals apprehended during pipeline surveillance operations are handed over to the police after preliminary investigations are conducted by Tantita operatives to establish the facts. He stressed that decisions on prosecution and detention are solely the responsibility of the police and the courts.

Gbenekana challenged journalists and members of the public to independently verify the allegations by visiting Oporoza in Gbaramatu Kingdom, insisting that no illegal detention facility exists there.

He further alleged that those behind the accusations were likely suspected illegal crude oil bunkerers and other individuals who had benefited from oil theft before Tantita Security Services intensified surveillance operations.

Describing the allegations as “corruption fighting back,” Gbenekana urged Nigerians not to be misled by what he called baseless claims aimed at discrediting the pipeline surveillance contractor.

He also advised President Tinubu to sustain the Federal Government’s efforts against crude oil theft, arguing that Tantita Security Services has recorded significant successes since taking over the pipeline surveillance contract.

According to him, attempts to fragment the surveillance contract would weaken ongoing efforts, noting that previous arrangements involving multiple agencies failed to achieve similar results.

Gbenekana added that while oil companies maintain their own surveillance teams, illegal bunkering only declined significantly after Tantita’s engagement, which he said demonstrates the effectiveness of the company’s operations.

He called on the Federal Government to constitute an independent investigative team to verify the allegations, including visits to the Oporoza community, reiterating that Tompolo does not operate any private prison and that all surveillance activities are carried out in collaboration with government security agencies.

He said, “When people lose illegal gains, they resort to mudslinging. Frankly, the person behind the so-called open letter to the President is a miscreant.

“Tompolo works directly with the Police, Navy, Army and NSCDC. These are the statutory security agencies empowered to make arrests and prosecute suspects. So for anyone, out of jealousy and ignorance, to accuse Tompolo of running an illegal prison, I challenge the Press and members of the public to go to Oporoza in Gbaramatu Kingdom and verify the claim themselves, -Gbenekama added.

“How can Tompolo operate an illegal detention facility when he is collaborating with agencies that have legal powers of arrest and prosecution? Suspects arrested during pipeline surveillance in the creeks are handed over to the police. Before that, Tantita operatives conducted their own preliminary investigation to establish the facts for the police. It is the police that determine who is charged to court, and if anyone is to be jailed, that decision rests with them.” he noted

Gbenekama maintained, “The author of the letter is likely one of the suspected illegal bunkerers whose illicit business has been crippled. That is why they are bitter. He is not acting alone. Others who profited from the illegal trade are also upset. This is corruption fighting back. I don’t expect Nigerians to take such people seriously.

“My advice to Mr. President is to maintain the current momentum in the fight against crude oil theft, especially in the Niger Delta. So far, Tantita has performed excellently. It remains the most effective outfit handling the pipeline surveillance contract. Fragmenting the contract will reduce its impact. Several agencies tried this in the past and failed until Tantita came on board. Even now, oil companies have their own surveillance teams, yet illegal bunkering only dropped significantly after Tantita’s engagement. This clearly shows that it is corruption fighting back. Such allegations should therefore be disregarded.

“If the Federal Government has any doubts, it should send an independent investigative team to the field, including the Oporoza community. Tompolo does not operate in any private prison. He works with all government security agencies, and they will not permit any illegality during surveillance operations.” Gbenekama concluded.

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