Asari Dokubo ‘Topples’ Tompolo

Asari Dokubo

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Asari Dokubo, a Niger Delta ex-war lords may have toppled, in a military fashion, Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a, Tompolo) in the exclusive control of oil pipeline protections in the Niger Delta.

The Buhari’s administration, before the 2023 general elections, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) awarded a pipeline protection contract worth N48 billion yearly (N4 billion per month) to Tompolo.

The award had elicited criticism from the wider society, but Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, had said the Federal Government made “the right decision.”

Obviously sensing that such pie was too much for a fellow ex war lord, Asari Dokubo, including His Royal Majesty, Dr Ateke Michael Tom, the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom and the Sekuro of Niger Delta, Ajube Bibopori, (Gen. Shootaside) and Victor Ben Ebikabowei, (Gen. Boyloaf) met recently to work on the possibility of sharing the pipe line protection contract with Tompolo.

Insider confided in OpenLife that the latest push by other warlords was instigated by the commendation extended to President Bola Tinubu by Ijaw Youths Network for renewing the pipeline protection contract awarded to Tompolo’s Tantita Security Services Limited for another three years.

A source privy to the development said the meeting was convened to discuss ways and strategies needed for overseeing the pipeline surveillance contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.

The source, which did not want his name mentioned, said those in attendance also shared the objective of intensifying their efforts to combating illegal refining which is affecting the environment.

The source noted that the former warlords expressed commitment to boost collaborative endeavours aimed at safeguarding the pipelines and other critical infrastructure in the area.

The source further said the meeting is a collaborative approach with the ability to ensuring a turnaround in the ongoing struggle against oil theft, with far-reaching benefits for the entire region and the Nigerian economy.

Meanwhile, credible source hinted OpenLife that the wish of Asari Dokubo to get the pipeline protection contract split and shared among the ex war lords across the major oil producing States in the Niger Delta may have been approved by Tinubu.

This development, according to information, has ruffled the camp of Tompolo that has enjoyed some level of monopoly in the dollar prized security contract.