Traditional rulers and stakeholders in Imo State, particularly from Ohaji/Egbema Local Council, have thrown their support behind Tompolo, formally known as Oweizidei Thomas Ekpemupolo, praising his leadership in curbing illegal oil bunkering. The monarchs passed a vote of confidence on the surveillance team under his command, lauding the reduction in oil theft and related casualties across the state.
Andrew Vocor, National Secretary of the Phase One Presidential Amnesty Programme, noted the impact of Tompolo’s deployment. “We lost 300 persons in one day due to illegal bunkering, but today, there’s zero incident of bunkering in Imo State,” he said, underscoring the dramatic decline in pipeline vandalism and loss of lives.
Despite the endorsement from Imo monarchs, a coalition of youth groups in Rivers State has urged the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, to decentralise pipeline security contracts across the Niger Delta.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Charles Malford, speaking for the Coalition of Concerned Youth Bodies, called on the President to expand surveillance efforts to include local communities. “Concentration of contracts in the hands of a single company is neither equitable nor sustainable. Local communities should be involved directly in securing infrastructure to promote ownership and accountability,” the coalition said.
The youth groups highlighted that decentralising pipeline security contracts would create jobs for the region’s predominantly youthful population while tackling social challenges such as crime and drug abuse. They argued that engaging locals in surveillance activities strengthens protection of critical infrastructure by leveraging community knowledge of their environment.
The coalition also urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to clarify and unbundle existing surveillance contracts for pipelines and wellheads, ensuring clear roles and responsibilities. They described decentralisation as “timely, fair, and necessary for fostering inclusiveness, better security, and strengthened regional cooperation.”
The contrasting positions from Imo and Rivers highlight a wider debate over the management of pipeline security in the Niger Delta, reflecting ongoing challenges in balancing effective anti-bunkering operations with local participation and economic empowerment.
