Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, the former Niger Delta militant leader, is scrambling to retain control of a pipeline security contract worth about N48 billion ($35 million) annually as President Bola Tinubu’s administration reassesses Nigeria’s approach to oil theft and infrastructure sabotage.
Tompolo’s Tantita Security Services has held the contract for years, positioning him at the center of one of the most politically sensitive arrangements in Nigeria’s oil sector. The size of the deal and its reliance on a private firm linked to a prominent regional figure have made it a flashpoint in debates over national security and regional influence.
Africa Intelligence, reported that Tompolo is leveraging relationships in Abuja and the Delta to defend his role, arguing that his team possesses the local intelligence and community networks needed to disrupt theft syndicates operating in the creeks and along export routes. Rival power brokers in the region are also pressing claims, turning the government review into a quiet struggle over territory, influence, and revenue.
Tompolo’s position reflects the ongoing evolution of the post-amnesty Delta. Once a commander in militant operations that disrupted oil production, he has recast himself as a security partner, protecting the very pipelines that were once targeted. Supporters argue that his local reach gives him an edge over conventional security forces, which often struggle to operate effectively in the creeks.
However, critics warn that outsourcing sensitive security functions to private actors carries risks. Weak oversight, blurred lines of authority, and the creation of parallel power structures are major concerns, particularly in areas where the government’s presence is thin and political influence is tied to control of waterways.
The contract’s value further heightens stakes. N48 billion annually supports extensive staffing, surveillance operations, and logistics. It also grants indirect influence through local hiring and subcontracting, critical leverage in the Delta, where employment often shapes loyalty and community alignment.
The review coincides with the Tinubu administration’s efforts to increase oil production and revenues. Crude theft, sabotage, and illegal refining have repeatedly disrupted supply, reducing export earnings and straining public finances. Any changes to pipeline security will be measured against their ability to stabilize production and cut losses.
Potential adjustments under consideration include stricter performance targets, splitting territories among multiple contractors, or shifting greater responsibility to state security agencies. Each option could reshape the balance of power in the Delta and provoke competition among local actors.
Sources say Tompolo frames his continued role as crucial to preventing disruption, while critics argue that the contract should be restructured or reassigned to ensure accountability and reduce concentrated influence.