Rights Group Accuses Oil thieves of blackmailing Tompolo, NNPC

•Vows to join suit threatening Tantita Security Contract

The Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (CHURAC), has accused oil thieves of being behind an obnoxious suit seeking the termination of a surveillance contract awarded to Tompolo’s Tantita Security company.

The group asserted that it would join the suit to defend Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and Tantita, adding that Tantita Security company should be applauded for increasing oil production in the country over its hard positions against oil thieves.

This was made available to newsmen in a statement by its Chairman Board of Trustees, Alaowei, E. Cleric Esq, on Monday.

The statement which was titled: “PIPELINE SECURITY: OIL THIEVES ARE BLACKMAILING NNPC; WE ‘LL JOIN THE COURT CASE dated November 21, said: “With the barrage of oppositions against the decision of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to award oil pipeline surveillance contract to private security companies, it has become clear that the oil thieves are fighting back with emotional blackmail. We’re surprised that nearly all the public opprobrium is against the one awarded to the Company linked to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).

The statement further maintains: “Meanwhile, NNPC Limited has awarded the same contract to several private companies even before Tompolo’s company won the bid. The truism is that most of those companies who had the contract barely took steps to fight the unchecked illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region.

“To the chagrin of these economic saboteurs and their paid armchair critics, Tompolo’s company, TSSNL is taking the fight to their doorsteps by exposing the oil syndicates and the cartels siphoning the oil in the region. To survive the illegal business, these oil thieves have embarked on different adventures to blackmail NNPC Limited and the Federal Government into submission.

“The lawsuit instituted by One Love Foundation in Suit No FHC/ABJ/1723)2022 against the NNPC Limited over the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to TSSNL is audible to the deaf and clear to the blind that illegal bunkers are fighting back, clutching on any straw to survive in their illicit business.

“We have instructed our legal team to study the case carefully. We will not hesitate to file for a joinder to defend NNPC Limited and TSSNL if the need arises. We’re solidly behind NNPC Limited in awarding the contract to Tompolo’s Company.

“For the love of this nation and to ensure that we have increased outputs to beat the OPEC’s quota, we will always stand by the NNPC Limited and the TSSNL to completely eradicate the oil thieves in the Niger Delta. Tompolo deserves commendation from well-meaning Nigerians. He should not be vilified just because he has chosen to risk his life to safeguard our national assets.”