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Tompolo

Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (born c. 1971), commonly known as Tompolo, is a Nigerian Ijaw leader, former militant commander, traditional chief, and security contractor based in the Niger Delta region of Delta State.^[1] Rising to prominence in the early 2000s amid escalating conflicts over oil resource exploitation, environmental degradation, and inequitable revenue sharing, Tompolo commanded factions aligned with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), orchestrating attacks on oil infrastructure, kidnappings of expatriates, and disruptions to production to press for local control and reparations from multinational companies.^[1]^[2] In 2009, he surrendered arms under the federal government's amnesty initiative aimed at ending the insurgency, which granted stipends and vocational training to thousands of ex-fighters in exchange for peace, thereby restoring much of Nigeria's oil output capacity.^[1] Post-amnesty, Tompolo established Tantita Security Services, securing multimillion-dollar contracts from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and military pipelines command to patrol creeks and detect illegal bunkering, leading to the dismantling of unauthorized pipelines and arrests of oil thieves, as documented in official extractive industry reports.^[3]^[1] These roles have positioned him as a de facto enforcer in the Delta's security landscape, though critics argue such privatized militancy perpetuates patronage networks rather than institutional reform.^[1] Tompolo faced significant legal scrutiny, including 2015 Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charges of fraud and money laundering totaling over N45 billion from contracts under prior administrations, prompting an arrest warrant and his temporary evasion of authorities; however, key cases, such as a N34 billion fraud indictment against his firm, were dismissed by federal courts in 2020 for lack of evidence.^[4]^[1]

Early Life and Background

Origins and Upbringing

Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, was born on April 12, 1971, in Okerenkoko, a riverine Ijaw community in the Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.^[5]^[6] His parents were Thomas Ekpemukpolo and Ewo Ekpemukpolo, and he was born into a royal family within the Ijaw ethnic group, which traces its heritage to traditional leadership in the Niger Delta region.^[5]^[7] Tompolo grew up in Okerenkoko amid the environmental and economic challenges of the oil-rich Niger Delta, where Ijaw communities faced resource exploitation by multinational companies.^[7] He attended Okepopo Primary School in his hometown during his early education, reflecting a modest upbringing in a locale marked by poverty despite proximity to petroleum reserves.^[6] His family's royal status provided some local influence, but details of his childhood remain sparse in public records, with early exposure likely shaped by Ijaw cultural practices and regional grievances over land and resource rights.^[7]

Initial Involvement in Ijaw Activism

Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, entered Ijaw activism in 1998 by joining the newly formed Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), a group formed to advocate for the rights of the Ijaw ethnic group in Nigeria's Niger Delta amid grievances over oil exploitation, environmental degradation, and unequal resource distribution.^[8]^[5] The IYC emerged in response to longstanding Ijaw demands for self-determination and control over petroleum revenues, building on earlier ethnic mobilizations in the region. Tompolo, hailing from Okerenkoko in Delta State's Gbaramatu Kingdom, followed the example of Ijaw activist Mujahid Dokubo-Asari in aligning with the council, which sought initially non-violent means to address the federal government's neglect of Delta communities.^[8]^[6] Within the IYC, Tompolo rapidly gained respect as a member, contributing to grassroots efforts that highlighted the socio-economic disparities faced by Ijaw youths, including unemployment and pollution from oil activities.^[5] The organization's Kaiama Declaration, issued on December 11, 1998, in Kaiama town, Bayelsa State, formalized these demands by calling for an end to oil exploration without Ijaw consent and for political autonomy, galvanizing broader Niger Delta activism though it provoked federal crackdowns.^[9] While Tompolo's exact contributions to the declaration's formulation remain secondary to leaders like Asari, his early affiliation positioned him as an emerging voice in Delta State's segment of the Ijaw struggle, where he reportedly served in convening roles for local youth mobilization.^[6] This phase marked a shift from personal circumstances—Tompolo having reportedly dropped out of secondary school earlier in the 1990s—to organized ethnic advocacy, though the IYC's limited achievements in securing reforms soon fueled demands for more confrontational tactics.^[10]

Militant Activities in the Niger Delta

Formation of Guerrilla Groups

Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, rose as a military leader within the Federation of Niger Delta Ijaw Communities (FNDIC), a guerrilla-oriented group established in the 1990s to advocate for Ijaw self-determination amid grievances over oil exploitation and environmental degradation in Delta State.^[11] The FNDIC drew from Ijaw youth militias influenced by traditional Egbesu practices emphasizing warfare and justice, with Tompolo leveraging family ties and connections to oil firms like Shell and Chevron to fund arms procurement and youth recruitment.^[11] By the mid-2000s, his creekside camps hosted approximately 3,000 armed fighters trained in bunkering operations and small-boat tactics, forming the backbone of early insurgent activities against military patrols and oil infrastructure.^[11] The formation of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in late 2005 marked a consolidation of guerrilla efforts, with Tompolo playing a pivotal organizational role by uniting FNDIC fighters, elements of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF), and local cult groups such as the KKK and Greenlanders.^[11] This alliance emerged in response to the arrests of prominent activists, including Delta State Governor James Ibori and NDPVF leader Mujahid Dokubo-Asari in September 2005, prompting Tompolo to host strategy meetings in his Delta State bases and coordinate initial strikes.^[11] MEND's debut operation occurred in December 2005 with an attack on an oil facility, followed by the kidnapping of four expatriate oil workers on January 11, 2006, signaling a shift toward coordinated sabotage blending political demands for resource control with economic disruption.^[11] Tompolo commanded the Western Delta faction of MEND, maintaining operational autonomy while emphasizing Ijaw territorial claims.^[11]

Major Operations and Economic Disruptions

Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, commanded thousands of armed militants in the Gbaramatu region of Delta State, orchestrating operations that included sabotage of oil infrastructure, kidnappings of expatriate workers, and armed confrontations with security forces. These activities, often coordinated under the loose umbrella of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), targeted pipelines, flow stations, and personnel to disrupt hydrocarbon extraction and force negotiations over resource control and environmental grievances.^[11]^[12] A pivotal early operation occurred on January 11, 2006, when militants under Tompolo's network kidnapped four foreign oil workers in Bayelsa State, holding them at his camp in Okerenkoko until their release on January 30 following ransom payments and demands for $1.5 billion in reparations from Shell for pollution damages, alongside the release of detained leaders. This incident exemplified the tactic of hostage-taking to extract concessions, with captives used to amplify media pressure on the government and oil firms. In February 2006, MEND affiliates, drawing on Tompolo's factional influence, abducted 11 employees of U.S.-based Willbros Group during pipeline construction, vowing sustained disruptions to Nigeria's oil sector and contributing to heightened insecurity for expatriates.^[11]^[13] Tompolo's forces also executed repeated bombings and raids on pipelines and facilities, such as attacks on Shell and Agip infrastructure in Delta State creeks, which forced shutdowns and repairs. By mid-2006, these operations had integrated bunkering—illegal siphoning of crude—with guerrilla tactics, enabling militants to control swathes of waterways and evade joint task forces. Security analysts attribute to Tompolo a key role in unifying disparate Ijaw groups into MEND's more effective structure, amplifying the scale of assaults on expatriate compounds and export terminals.^[12]^[11] The economic fallout was severe: MEND-linked disruptions, bolstered by Tompolo's command, reduced Nigeria's oil output by up to 25% in the first five months of 2006 alone, slashing daily production from approximately 2.4 million barrels to as low as 1.8 million and costing the government billions in lost revenue amid global price surges to $147 per barrel by 2008. These halts compounded existing losses from theft and sabotage, with up to 300,000 barrels per day diverted or spilled, undermining OPEC quotas and Nigeria's fiscal stability. Sustained militancy under Tompolo's influence persisted until the 2009 military offensive on his camps, which preceded his eventual amnesty acceptance.^[14]^[11]^[15]

Participation in Amnesty Program

Acceptance and Initial Benefits

Government Ekpemupolo, commonly known as Tompolo, formally accepted the Nigerian federal government's amnesty offer on October 4, 2009, surrendering arms with hundreds of his followers on the expiration day of the 60-day ultimatum.^[16] This acceptance integrated his Gbaramatu-based militant faction, one of the largest in the Niger Delta, into the Presidential Amnesty Programme, proclaimed by President Umaru Yar'Adua in June 2009 to curb insurgency through disarmament and reintegration.^[17] The programme required militants to renounce violence and register, granting them immunity from prosecution for pre-amnesty offenses in exchange.^[18] Initial benefits for Tompolo's ex-fighters included immediate cash and food allowances during the disarmament phase, estimated at approximately £255 monthly per participant, alongside logistical support for camp confinement and weapon handover.^[19] Following surrender, registered ex-militants from his group qualified for ongoing monthly stipends of N65,000 each to sustain livelihoods while awaiting rehabilitation.^[20] These financial provisions applied to an estimated 30,000 fighters across major factions, including Tompolo's, stabilizing post-militancy transitions amid economic disruptions from prior conflicts.^[18] The amnesty's early phase also initiated access to vocational skills training and educational programs for eligible ex-combatants, aiming to redirect capacities toward civilian employment, though implementation delays affected rollout for some groups.^[21] For Tompolo as a commander, acceptance halted active military operations against his network, enabling a shift from guerrilla activities to programme oversight roles, though personal financial gains remained tied to collective fighter entitlements initially.^[17]

Challenges and Arrest Warrant Issuance

Despite initial acceptance of the amnesty offer in June 2009, which included monthly stipends of ₦65,000 (approximately US$400 at the time) for ex-militants, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) encountered substantial implementation hurdles that affected beneficiaries associated with Tompolo, such as irregular stipend payments and funding shortfalls.^[21] These issues stemmed from budgetary cuts—reducing PAP funding by about 60% in 2015 amid Nigeria's oil revenue dependency—and mismanagement, including corruption that inflated training costs without delivering promised vocational outcomes, leaving many ex-militants unemployed despite training for over 15,000 by 2015.^[21] Only around 2,272 secured employment by 2014, exacerbating dissatisfaction and contributing to broader program limitations, as vocational skills often mismatched local job markets limited to roughly 65,000 oil sector roles.^[21] Tompolo's post-amnesty transition into contracts for maritime and pipeline security, intended as reintegration incentives, introduced additional legal challenges. In December 2015, Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Tompolo, alongside former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi and eight others, with 40 counts of conspiracy, money laundering, stealing, and diversion of approximately ₦34 billion (about US$175 million) from NIMASA contracts awarded for Niger Delta surveillance.^[22]^[23] The allegations centered on unexecuted contracts where funds were allegedly retained or misappropriated, highlighting tensions between amnesty-driven business opportunities and accountability demands.^[24] On January 14, 2016, Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos issued a bench warrant for Tompolo's arrest after he failed to honor a court summons, prompting him to evade authorities and intensifying regional instability.^[22]^[25]^[26] This development correlated with a resurgence of attacks, including 51 incidents in 2016 across Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states, as groups like the Niger Delta Avengers cited program failures and legal pursuits against ex-militants as grievances.^[21]^[27] The warrant underscored ongoing frictions in PAP's sustainability, where reintegration promises clashed with fiscal and judicial realities.^[17]

Post-Amnesty Career and Contracts

Establishment of Security Firm

Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, played a central role in the establishment of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a private security company registered on July 8, 2005, in Warri, Delta State.^[28]^[29] The firm was incorporated as a private unlimited liability entity with objectives centered on providing security solutions, including asset protection in high-risk areas such as the Niger Delta's oil infrastructure. Tompolo served as one of the founding directors, alongside Kestin Pondi, Ibrahim Sabo, and Godpower Sinwah, positioning the company to leverage local expertise in maritime and terrain-specific operations.^[28] Post-2009 amnesty, Tantita transitioned into a formalized vehicle for legitimate security contracting, enabling Tompolo and former associates to redirect militant networks toward lawful enterprise amid government reintegration efforts. The company's focus on safeguarding critical energy assets aligned with national needs for curbing oil theft and vandalism, though its pre-amnesty registration raised questions in some analyses about early ties to informal protection rackets in the region.^[17] Tompolo has been publicly recognized as the founder and chairman, overseeing operations that employ ex-militants in structured roles.^[30] Tantita's establishment capitalized on Tompolo's influence among Ijaw communities, incorporating advanced surveillance tools like vessels and personnel trained in the Delta's waterways. By 2014, related ventures under Tompolo's control, such as Global West Vessels Specialist, expanded the security portfolio, but Tantita remained the core entity for oil-related contracts.^[31] This setup provided a pathway from guerrilla tactics to privatized services, though critics from civil society groups have scrutinized the firm's opacity in ownership and funding sources.^[32]

Pipeline Surveillance Role and Contracts

In August 2022, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) awarded a pipeline surveillance contract to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a firm founded by Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), to monitor and protect oil pipelines in the Western Niger Delta region, leveraging local terrain knowledge to combat rampant oil theft and illegal bunkering.^[27]^[33] The contract, valued at approximately N48 billion annually (equivalent to N4 billion monthly), focused on patrolling difficult-to-access creeks and detecting unauthorized taps on pipelines, which had previously led to daily losses exceeding 200,000 barrels of crude oil.^[34]^[35] Tantita's operations involved deploying armed personnel, boats, and surveillance technology to intercept vessels engaged in theft, resulting in the discovery of multiple illegal refining sites and the recovery of stolen products; for instance, by late 2022, the firm reported dismantling several bunkering operations amid initial armed resistance from criminals.^[36]^[37] Despite criticisms from rival ex-militants questioning the award to a former insurgent leader, the Nigerian Senate endorsed the contract in November 2022, citing its effectiveness in utilizing indigenous expertise over external firms that had failed previously.^[35]^[38] The contract was renewed in October 2023 under the subsequent administration, extending Tantita's mandate amid observed reductions in oil theft, with federal regulators reporting crude losses dropping to 9,600 barrels per day by mid-2025, a 16-year low attributed partly to intensified private surveillance efforts.^[39]^[40] Tompolo's role emphasized community-based enforcement, distributing contract benefits to local stakeholders to foster cooperation, though the arrangement drew scrutiny for potentially rewarding past militancy with lucrative state funds without competitive bidding transparency.^[36]^[41]

Achievements and Positive Impacts

Contributions to Oil Theft Reduction

Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, established by Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) in 2019, secured a pipeline surveillance contract from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in August 2022 for the western Niger Delta region, focusing on detecting and preventing illegal oil bunkering and vandalism.^[42] Under this mandate, Tantita has conducted operations leading to the interception of numerous illegal refining sites and the recovery of stolen crude, contributing to measurable declines in oil losses.^[43] Official data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) indicate that crude oil losses due to theft and metering inaccuracies fell to 9,600 barrels per day (bpd) in the first half of 2025, marking a 16-year low and a substantial improvement from prior peaks exceeding 600,000 bpd in 2022.^[44] Between January and July 2025, total losses amounted to 2.04 million barrels, reflecting sustained reductions attributed in part to intensified surveillance by contractors like Tantita.^[45] Earlier NUPRC reports documented a 44% drop in losses in 2022 and a 79% reduction in 2023 following the contract's implementation, with Tantita credited for handling 3,963 theft incidents in the Niger Delta through arrests, asset seizures, and site dismantlements.^[46]^[47] These efforts have included real-time monitoring of over 1,000 kilometers of pipelines, early detection of breaches, and collaboration with military and community stakeholders to deter sabotage, resulting in fewer vandalism incidents and enhanced oil production stability in the region.^[48] Tantita's local knowledge of terrain and networks, derived from Tompolo's Niger Delta roots, has enabled proactive interventions, such as the busting of illegal wellhead tapping operations, which supporters argue represent a shift from past militancy to structured security provision.^[49] Despite ongoing challenges with residual theft, these outcomes have earned Tantita awards for infrastructure security and praise from regional groups for curbing economic sabotage estimated at billions of dollars annually.^[48]^[50]

Environmental and Community Efforts

Through its pipeline surveillance operations, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, founded by Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), has contributed to reducing illegal bunkering and oil theft in the Niger Delta, thereby mitigating oil pollution and environmental degradation. Awarded a federal contract under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Tantita's efforts have nearly halted such activities, allowing the region's ecosystem to show gradual recovery, as observed through reduced incidents of pipeline vandalism that previously caused widespread spills.^[51]^[52] These surveillance activities have had a documented positive effect on curbing environmental pollution associated with illegal oil refining and bunkering, including decreased health risks and economic hardships tied to ecosystem damage in areas like Bayelsa State.^[53] Tantita was explicitly established to combat oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and the resulting environmental pollution, with operations spanning the Niger Delta since 2022.^[54] On the community front, Tantita launched a sustainable rice farming initiative in April 2025 to shift Niger Delta communities away from illicit oil-related activities toward structured agriculture, partnering with stakeholders to promote economic alternatives and infrastructure development.^[55]^[56] The firm has also been credited with youth empowerment programs, prioritizing security and peacebuilding that benefit thousands in riverine areas, alongside philanthropic commitments such as Tompolo's N10 billion donation to the Delta State Security Trust Fund on October 15, 2025, aimed at enhancing community safety through equipment and training.^[57]^[58]

Controversies and Criticisms

Corruption Allegations and Legal Battles

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, in January 2016 with 40 counts of fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy involving the alleged illegal diversion of approximately N34 billion (equivalent to about $80 million at prevailing exchange rates) from contracts awarded by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) between April 2012 and October 2015.^[59] ^[22] The charges centered on fictitious maritime security contracts purportedly executed through Tompolo's firm, Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, in collusion with NIMASA's then-Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi and eight other co-defendants, including allegations of obtaining funds by false pretenses and retaining proceeds of unlawful activity.^[59] A Federal High Court in Lagos issued an arrest warrant for Tompolo on January 14, 2016, after he repeatedly failed to honor EFCC summons and court appearances, prompting his evasion and declaration as a wanted fugitive.^[22] ^[26] In February 2016, Justice Ibrahim Buba rejected Tompolo's motion to vacate the warrant, renewed it, and directed security agencies to produce him in court, though he remained at large, with proceedings postponed multiple times thereafter.^[60] ^[61] As of October 2025, no conviction has been secured in the case, which continues to highlight enforcement challenges amid Tompolo's sustained influence in Niger Delta security operations.^[62] Despite the unresolved 2016 warrant, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) awarded Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited—Tompolo's firm—a pipeline surveillance contract worth billions of naira in August 2022, sparking debates over selective anti-corruption enforcement, as the deal proceeded without resolving his fugitive status.^[63] In October 2024, Tantita and NNPC faced a separate legal challenge alleging cronyism in contract awards, though a Federal High Court dismissed the suit in October 2025, upholding the arrangement.^[64] In May 2025, the EFCC signaled plans to interrogate Tompolo over alleged naira mutilation and abuse, following viral videos of him handling damaged currency notes, with the agency asserting that "nobody is above the law" amid public demands for accountability.^[65] Supporters, including former militants and local figures, countered by portraying the probe as politically motivated, urging focus on larger-scale economic crimes and affirming Tompolo's compliance with amnesty terms.^[66] ^[67] No formal charges have been filed in this matter as of late 2025.

Legacy of Violence and Economic Costs

Tompolo, as a prominent commander in the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), directed operations involving guerrilla-style attacks on oil infrastructure, including pipeline bombings and assaults on production facilities as far as 70 miles offshore.^[14] These tactics extended to the kidnapping of foreign oil workers for ransom and leverage, with MEND under his involvement claiming responsibility for abductions such as five Koreans in June alongside the killing of soldiers at a Shell-operated gas plant.^[14] Further incidents included leading armed MEND fighters in ship hijackings and the capture of expatriate personnel, contributing to a pattern of hostage-taking that targeted oil company staff to pressure multinational firms like Shell.^[6]^[68] The violence associated with Tompolo's militant forces in the Gbaramatu region and broader MEND campaigns resulted in direct confrontations with security personnel, leading to fatalities among soldiers and disruptions that escalated regional instability.^[6] While exact death tolls attributable solely to his commands remain undocumented in public records, the overall insurgency he helped lead involved killings during raids on military outposts and oil sites, fostering a cycle of retaliation and armed clashes that claimed numerous lives across ethnic and security lines.^[14] Critics, including local activists, have described this era under Tompolo's influence as leaving a "legacy soaked in violence," with ongoing perceptions of his past enabling persistent insecurity despite the 2009 amnesty.^[10] Economically, Tompolo's role in MEND's sabotage efforts inflicted substantial losses on Nigeria's oil sector, shutting in at least 800,000 barrels per day—over 25% of national output—at the group's peak, thereby reducing exports and government revenue.^[69] These disruptions, peaking in the mid-2000s, cumulatively cost billions of dollars in foregone earnings, as attacks halted production and deterred investment in the Niger Delta's hydrocarbon infrastructure.^[70] Broader militancy tied to such operations, including oil theft and vandalism, contributed to losses of up to 1 million barrels daily across the region, exacerbating fiscal strains on Nigeria's oil-dependent economy and delaying infrastructure repairs amid repeated bombings.^[11] The enduring economic scars include heightened vulnerability to theft and reduced foreign direct investment, with the violence's ripple effects persisting in elevated operational risks for oil firms long after the amnesty.^[71]

Political Influence and Exploitation Claims

High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, has exerted substantial political influence in Nigeria's Niger Delta region, leveraging alliances with federal administrations to shape regional dynamics. In June 2025, he played a mediating role in defusing tensions in Rivers State amid political crises, positioning himself as a key ally to President Bola Tinubu's government through the renewal of his firm's N48 billion pipeline surveillance contract originally awarded under President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.^[72] This contract, managed by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, has been credited with enhancing his leverage over ex-militant networks and local politics, enabling interventions in high-stakes disputes.^[73] Tompolo's influence extended to national politics in October 2025, when he led a delegation of Niger Delta stakeholders to meet former President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to abandon rumored plans for a 2027 presidential bid and instead support Tinubu's re-election.^[74] This effort, described as a regional movement spearheaded by Tompolo, highlighted his sway over Ijaw ethnic interests and ex-agitator groups, building on ties from the Jonathan era (2010–2015) when the amnesty program funneled resources to militants like him.^[75] On October 15, 2025, he further demonstrated this clout by donating N10 billion to Delta State's security trust fund, a gesture framed as commitment to peace but interpreted by observers as bolstering his patronage base.^[76] Claims of exploitation have shadowed this influence, with critics alleging Tompolo manipulates government contracts and ex-militant loyalties for undue control and personal enrichment. In July 2025, Niger Delta leaders accused him of abusing power through social media disinformation campaigns targeting rivals, including attacks on figures like Presidential Amnesty Programme administrator Dennis Otuaro, amid broader disputes over resource allocation and corruption in security deals.^[77] Detractors argue his firm's surveillance role exploits federal outsourcing to entrench a regional fiefdom, where local networks are mobilized to suppress dissent while siphoning oil theft recoveries—estimated at billions of naira—into private coffers rather than community reinvestment.^[78] These exploitation allegations gained traction during EFCC probes, such as the 2016 charges against Tompolo for involvement in a N45.9 billion ($175 million) fraud tied to Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency contracts awarded under Jonathan, which critics linked to political favoritism in the amnesty framework.^[24] Though the case was later stalled, it fueled narratives of Tompolo exploiting post-amnesty transitions from militancy to contracted security, amassing wealth—evident in assets like vessels and properties—while wielding threats of unrest to safeguard interests, as in his 2021 warning of "law and order breakdown" over Niger Delta agency appointments.^[79] Supporters counter that such claims stem from envious rivals or politically motivated agencies, emphasizing his role in stabilizing oil production, but independent analyses note the opacity of Tantita's operations raises risks of elite capture in resource governance.^[80]

Personal Life and Beliefs

Family and Personal Relationships

Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, was born into the royal family of Okerenkoko in the Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State, Nigeria, where his father served as the traditional ruler (Pere).^[81] He maintains a low public profile regarding his personal life, deliberately shielding family details from media scrutiny.^[5] Tompolo is married to Victoria Ekpemupolo, also referred to as Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Ekpemupolo or "Mama Niger Delta."^[82]^[83] The couple has at least one daughter, Mary Ekpemupolo, and they reside in Delta State.^[84] While reports confirm he has children, further specifics remain undisclosed, consistent with his approach to family privacy.^[85] Among his siblings, Tompolo's sister Ebiere Ekpemupolo married Kenneth Femi Efe Eyemi in a traditional ceremony in late 2024, held in the Gbaramatu region.^[86] Such family events highlight ties to local Ijaw communities, though Tompolo's personal relationships beyond immediate kin are not extensively documented in public sources.^[87]

Leadership in Woyin Religion

Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, plays a notable role in Ijaw traditional spirituality, which centers on Woyin (or Woyengi), the supreme feminine creator deity revered as "our mother" and associated with fate, fertility, and the origins of life among the Ijaw people of the Niger Delta.^[88] This indigenous system also incorporates veneration of water spirits, ancestors, and deities such as Egbesu, invoked for oaths of truth and justice, particularly in conflict resolution and communal defense.^[89] Tompolo's engagement with these beliefs positions him as a custodian of cultural and spiritual heritage, blending traditional practices with advocacy for Ijaw interests. Tompolo's leadership manifests through active participation in rituals and festivals that uphold Woyin-aligned principles of equity and moral uprightness. In April 2023, during the Amaseikumor festival in Gbaramatu Kingdom, he urged politicians and religious figures to prioritize integrity, linking the event's traditions to broader peace and development for the Ijaw nation.^[90] He has been documented leading sacrifices and invocations to Ijaw deities, including Egbesu, to seek divine endorsement for community endeavors and enforce traditional codes of conduct.^[91] Such actions reinforce his influence, as local accounts portray him practicing the Woyin faith and serving as a high priestly figure who commands spiritual loyalty beyond political or economic power.^[82] This role extends to counseling on ethical governance and conflict mitigation, drawing from indigenous cosmology where Woyin's creative force demands fairness and reciprocity. Supporters credit Tompolo's spiritual authority with fostering unity and deterring betrayal within Ijaw circles, though these claims primarily stem from community narratives and Delta State media rather than independent academic verification.^[92] His practices help sustain traditional religion amid Christian and Islamic influences in the region, emphasizing causal links between ritual observance and societal stability.

Recent Developments (2016–Present)

Ongoing Security Operations

Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), under the leadership of Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), maintains an active contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to surveil and protect oil pipelines across the Western Niger Delta region, focusing on preventing oil theft, illegal bunkering, and vandalism.^[32] Operations involve deploying personnel with local knowledge alongside advanced technologies, such as planned drone surveillance initiated in August 2025 to enhance monitoring of remote pipelines and detect breaches in real-time.^[93] This approach has integrated community engagement to gather intelligence and deter local complicity in theft syndicates.^[94] In 2025, TSSNL's efforts have yielded measurable reductions in oil losses, contributing to a national production increase from approximately 1.1 million barrels per day, as commended by the Delta State Government in October.^[95] By early October 2025, the firm reported uncovering multiple illegal oil theft sites, often protected by compromised security elements, underscoring persistent challenges from organized networks.^[96] A federal court ruling on September 30, 2025, upheld the NNPCL's contract with Tantita, affirming its operational legitimacy amid legal challenges and enabling continued expansion.^[97] Ongoing activities extend beyond federal pipelines to supportive roles in regional security, including a N10 billion donation by Tompolo to the Delta State Security Trust Fund launched on October 16, 2025, aimed at bolstering broader anti-crime measures in oil-producing areas.^[98] Federal officials, including Minister Heineken Lokpobiri, have praised these operations for fostering relative peace and urged scope expansion to cover additional assets, citing Tantita's track record in disrupting theft operations during 2024.^[99] However, civil society groups have called for greater transparency in TSSNL's reporting and accountability to ensure operations align with national interests without undue influence.^[32]

Responses to Political Rumors and Denials

In October 2025, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, denied reports circulating on social media that he had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).^[100] His media consultant, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, issued a statement asserting that Ekpemupolo had no involvement in the matter and describing the claims as the work of adversaries intent on damaging his reputation.^[101] The denial emphasized Tompolo's focus on Niger Delta security operations rather than Igbo separatist issues, amid broader concerns over ethnic tensions in Nigeria.^[102] In March 2023, shortly after Nigeria's presidential election, Tompolo refuted allegations that he had publicly hailed the victory of Bola Tinubu as president, countering a viral video and statements attributed to him.^[103] He described the content as fabricated and unauthorized, with his spokesperson clarifying that Ekpemupolo had not commented on the election results.^[104] This response came amid heightened political scrutiny of former militants' alignments during the polls, where rumors linked Tompolo to support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), though he maintained neutrality on national electoral matters.^[105] These denials highlight a pattern of Tompolo addressing misinformation aimed at portraying him as intervening in non-Niger Delta political disputes, often via quick statements from aides to social media and news outlets, without escalating to legal action in verified reports.^[100]^[103] Sources close to him have attributed such rumors to political rivals exploiting his security contracts and regional influence.^[101]

References

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[8]
Government Ekpemupolo: The only government that works in ...
Sep 24, 2022 · Born in the harsh swamps and creeks of the Niger Delta, their vocation is one of the fastest growing sub-sectors in Nigeria's burgeoning crime industry.
[9]
BLOOD MONEY II: How Tompolo became Nigeria's most wanted man
Oct 25, 2016 · Both men inspired a new breed of Ijaw youth in their late twenties and early thirties who signed what would later become known as the Kaiama ...
[10]
https://thesouthernexaminer.com/delta-governors-praise-of-tompolo-sparks-uproar-as-activist-questions-exm-p15091-273.htm
[11]
[PDF] Understanding the Armed Groups of the Niger Delta
Militants such as Asari and Tom Polo, the head of MEND in Delta. State, Tom Polo, have been able to portray themselves as freedom fighters, battling on behalf ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[12]
FACTBOX: Three key militant leaders in Nigeria's oil delta | Reuters
Oct 3, 2009 · With their disarmament, Government Tompolo is the last known militant commander with links to rebel group MEND that has yet to accept amnesty.
[13]
Militant Group Poses Threat to Nigerian Oil Industry | PBS News
Mar 10, 2006 · In February 2006, MEND kidnapped 11 employees of Willbros Group Inc. of Houston and vowed to continue disruptions in Nigeria's oil ...
[14]
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) - EBSCO
A cease-fire was enacted in mid-2014, but in 2016, Ekpemupolo "Tompolo," former MEND leader, was arrested on corruption charges that spurred a series of attacks ...Missing: involvement | Show results with:involvement
[15]
Nigeria's MEND: A Different Militant Movement - Stratfor
a quarter of the country's oil production ...
[16]
Nigeria rebel disarms under amnesty | News - Al Jazeera
Oct 4, 2009 · Tompolo was the latest rebel leader to accept the amnesty deal, which was originally offered in June, before it expires at midnight on Sunday.<|separator|>
[17]
Tompolo and the Amnesty Deal - THISDAYLIVE
Dec 1, 2022 · Each of the Niger Delta militants granted amnesty by late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua in June 2009 swore to the foregoing oath. But whoever ...
[18]
Nigerian Ex-Militant Leader Accepts Government's Niger Delta Vow
Jun 5, 2021 · Senior commanders including Tompolo accepted a government amnesty in 2009, agreeing to disarm in exchange for monthly stipends for 30,000 of ...Missing: FNDIC formation
[19]
Nigeria begins amnesty for Niger Delta militants - The Guardian
Aug 6, 2009 · Government officials say the gunmen who surrender their arms will be given about £255 a month in cash and food allowances during the ...
[20]
Minimum Wage: Increase stipends of ex-militants - Niger Delta ...
Jun 5, 2024 · Minimum Wage: Increase stipends of ex-militants – Niger Delta group tells Nigerian Govt ... monthly stipend of N65,000 under the Presidential ...
[21]
Analysing the Outcomes of Nigeria's Post-Amnesty Programme
Apr 16, 2020 · As a result, Nigeria's federal government resumed the payment of monthly stipends to ex-militants, while negotiating with former militant ...
[22]
Arrest warrant issued for former Niger Delta militant Tompolo - Reuters
Jan 14, 2016 · Nigerian authorities issued an arrest warrant on Thursday for a former militant leader from the oil-producing Niger Delta region after he failed to appear in ...
[23]
'Wanted' Tompolo heads to Appeal Court, challenges arrest warrant
Feb 22, 2016 · A federal court had, on January 14, issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Ekpemupolo after he shunned an invitation to appear before the court.
[24]
Who is Tompolo, the Niger Delta Kingpin Wanted for Corruption?
Jan 19, 2016 · The ex-Niger Delta militant leader is accused of involvement in $175 million worth of corruption.
[25]
Finally, court orders Tompolo's arrest - TheCable
Jan 14, 2016 · “The court has the power to issue a warrant of arrest against him, and that is why they issued the warrant of arrest against Tompolo. Even ...
[26]
EFCC declares Tompolo wanted - Punch Newspapers
Feb 11, 2016 · Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos issued a bench warrant against Tompolo on January 14 after he shunned a summons dated ...
[27]
Former Nigerian militants get contracts to combat oil theft - Reuters
Sep 1, 2022 · Nigeria's state oil company has hired a company owned by former militant Tompolo, whose movement's attacks on facilities in the early 2000s crippled oil ...Missing: disruptions | Show results with:disruptions
[28]
Tompolo: Who Owns Tantita Security Services Limited
Tantita Security Services Limited, TSSL, is a security outfit that has gained prominence in recent times following its fruitful activities in curbing oil theft ...<|separator|>
[29]
tantita security services nigeria limited
TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES NIGERIA LIMITED was incorporated in WARRI, Nigeria with Registration Number 628222. It was registered on 08 Jul 2005 and it's ...
[30]
The founder of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief ...
Nov 19, 2024 · The founder of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, says he is constantly facing threat to his life.
[31]
From Hand to Hand - Security Praxis
Dec 18, 2014 · One of the main Niger Delta militants that took advantage of the Amnesty Programme was Government ʻTompoloʼ Ekpemupolo. As not only a former ...
[32]
https://www.thisdaylive.com/2025/10/23/pipeline-surveillance-group-tasks-tantita-on-transparency-accountability/
[33]
Why we awarded multi-billion naira pipeline protection contract to ...
Aug 30, 2022 · The clarification came amid reports that NNPC Limited awarded a N48bn pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo. byMary Izuaka · August 30, 2022.
[34]
Reps meet Tompolo, back N48bn pipeline surveillance contract to him
Dec 9, 2022 · The federal government in August awarded a pipeline surveillance contract reportedly worth N48 billion per year (N4 billion per month) to Mr Ekpemupolo's ...
[35]
Senate backs NNPC's N48bn pipeline surveillance contract to ...
Nov 23, 2022 · The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) had September awarded the contract to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited ( ...
[36]
Ex-Militant Tapped to Protect Nigerian Pipelines He Once Blew Up
Sep 5, 2022 · ... Tompolo said in the Sept. 2 television interview. His argument echoed those made by militants in the late-2000s to justify attacks on pipelines.
[37]
Company Security Team Faces Armed Resistance Over Pipeline ...
Nov 23, 2022 · A few weeks after the NNPC awarded pipeline surveillance contract Tompolo's company to stop illegal bunkering activities, Topolo's security ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
[38]
Oil theft: Tompolo wins as Reps back pipeline surveillance contract
Dec 10, 2022 · The House of Representatives has applauded the partnership between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and Tantita Security Service Nigeria ...
[39]
Tinubu, NNPC hailed for renewing Tantita pipeline surveillance ...
Oct 16, 2023 · The contract which was first awarded in August 2022 · The IYN said that the renewal of the contract in spite of the massive campaign against the ...
[40]
Niger Delta Coalition Lauds Tantita Security as Crude Oil Losses Hit ...
Sep 14, 2025 · According to the NUPRC, crude oil losses due to theft and metering inaccuracies have plummeted to 9,600 bpd, a significant improvement from the ...
[41]
Storm over Tompolo's N48bn pipeline surveillance contract
Sep 11, 2022 · DELE OGUNYEMI examines the controversy surrounding the N48bn pipeline surveillance contract awarded to a former Niger Delta militant leader, ...
[42]
PIPELINE SURVEILLANCE: Expand Scope of Tantita Security ...
"Under Tantita's watch, Nigeria has recorded some of the most dramatic reductions in crude oil theft in its history. Within months of receiving the contract, ...
[43]
Pondi Echoes Tantita Security Services' Achievements in the Fight ...
Dec 17, 2024 · Pondi celebrated the significant strides made by Tantita in reducing crude oil theft, making major arrests, and seizing illicit assets over the past two years.
[44]
Coalition Lauds Tantita Security As Crude Oil Loss Drops To 16 ...
Sep 14, 2025 · According to the NUPRC, crude oil losses due to theft and metering inaccuracies have plummeted to 9,600 bpd, a significant improvement from the ...
[45]
Niger Delta Coalition commends Tantita as crude oil losses fall to 16 ...
Sep 14, 2025 · The NUPRC report showed that losses from theft and metering inaccuracies between January and July 2025 amounted to 2.04 million barrels, ...
[46]
Coalition praises Tinubu, security agencies, Tantita for drop in oil theft
Sep 15, 2025 · The report shows a 44 percent reduction in 2022, followed by a 79 percent reduction in 2023, with sustained declines through 2024 and the first ...
[47]
Anti-oil theft: Niger Delta communities pass vote of confidence
Dec 22, 2024 · Furthermore, the group stated that 3,963 incidents of crude oil theft were recorded in the Niger Delta and successfully handled by Tantita.
[48]
Tantita bags Vanguard crude oil infrastructure security award for ...
Apr 30, 2024 · In a remarkable achievement, Tantita Security Services Nigeria ... reduced incidents of oil theft and sabotage around oil and gas facilities.
[49]
Pipelines Surveillance: Retain Tantita Security As the Best ...
Jun 24, 2025 · ... oil production from a paltry 600bpd to over 1.8mbpd currently. The statement revealed that through the effort of Tantita in reducing illegal oil ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[50]
Anti-oil theft group confers award of excellence on Tompolo
Feb 11, 2025 · He praised Tantita Security Services for its role in significantly reducing oil theft, describing the company's success as a major achievement ...
[51]
How Tompolo is recovering N-Delta ecosystem - Comrade Mulade ...
Jan 7, 2025 · In this interview, the environmentalist speaks on issues militating against the progress of the oil-rich Niger Delta, the federal government's alleged neglect ...
[52]
Environmental effect of oil pipeline vandalization and the role of ...
Aug 24, 2025 · KestinPondi MD Tantita Security Services has been instrumental in significantly reducing oil theft and pipeline vandalism. Through the ...
[53]
(PDF) Examining the Tantita Security Services and Illegal Bunkering ...
Jun 16, 2025 · ... Tantita has had a positive impact. on reducing environmental pollution, economic hardship, and health risks associated with oil-related.
[54]
Position Paper: Supporting Tantita Security Company in - Fresh Angle
Dec 20, 2024 · Tantita Security Company was established to address oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and environmental pollution in the Niger Delta. Its ...<|separator|>
[55]
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited Pioneer Sustainable Rice ...
Apr 11, 2025 · This groundbreaking initiative aims to transition communities previously engaged in illicit oil-related activities into structured, large-scale rice farming.
[56]
TANTITA: Redefining Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria's ...
Sep 23, 2025 · Asides building infrastructures, Tantita has also embarked on sustainable rice farming Initiative in partnership with stakeholders to create ...
[57]
NIGER DELTA: IPDI Commends Tompolo, Pondi's for Peace, Youth ...
Promoting peace, ensuring adequate security, and prioritising environmental safety and empowerment of thousands in the Niger Delta region.
[58]
Tompolo commended for N10bn donation to Delta Security Trust Fund
Oct 16, 2025 · Tompolo, a prominent figure in the Niger Delta region, has in recent years gained recognition for his peacebuilding and philanthropic efforts, ...
[59]
EFCC Charges Tompolo, Akpobolokemi, Eight Others To Court Over ...
Jan 13, 2016 · Court convicts REA directors over N5.2bn fraud, discharges perm sec. An 11th suspect, Simon John Adonmene, however, is said to be on the ...
[60]
Court renews arrest warrant on ex-militant Tompolo, orders security ...
Feb 8, 2016 · A Federal High Court in Lagos, Monday, dismissed an objection by Government Ekpemupolo (also known as Tompolo) to his arrest brought and renewed a warrant ...
[61]
Court rejects Tompolo's plea to vacate arrest warrant
Feb 8, 2016 · Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday rejected the plea to set aside the bench warrant issued on January 14 against a former Niger ...
[62]
Nigeria: Tompolo Case Postponed as Ex-Militant Avoids Arrest
Mar 23, 2016 · Nigeria's anti-graft agency has postponed charging an ex-Niger Delta militant kingpin with fraud as he remains on the run almost three months after an arrest ...
[63]
Nigeria: Tompolo contract raises spectre of renewed militancy in ...
Sep 7, 2022 · ... fraud charges while he remained incommunicado. Nigeria's most wanted ... corruption by giving contracts to people like Tompolo.<|separator|>
[64]
EXCLUSIVE: NNPCL and Tantita Security face legal battle over ...
Oct 13, 2024 · Crime and Insecurity · Mele Kyari 'honors' EFCC 'invitation' over alleged fraud investigation at NNPCL · September 10, 2025 · NUPRC's CEO, ...
[65]
Tompolo to face EFCC over alleged naira abuse - Vanguard News
May 12, 2025 · ... corruption body emphasised that “Nobody is above the law,” adding, “Tompolo will have questions to answer!” This declaration was accompanied ...
[66]
Agbomhere to EFCC: Tompolo a patriot, law-abiding citizen
May 18, 2025 · EFCC: corrupt politicians now hide loot in crypto · EFCC arraigns Ponzi scheme director for alleged N13.8b Fraud in Port Harcourt · Emefiele's ...
[67]
Leave Tompolo alone, go after real economic criminals – Ex-militant ...
May 28, 2025 · Ex-militant leader hails court judgement upholding Tantita's contract · EFCC advocates collaboration, deep understanding in anti-corruption fight ...<|separator|>
[68]
Tompolo in the cold as Amnesty offer elapses - Daily Trust
Oct 4, 2009 · Tompolo who led armed members of MEND to attack, hijack a ship and kidnap ... kidnapping many foreigners and oil workers operating in the region.
[69]
MEND: The Niger Delta's Umbrella Militant Group
MEND's attacks have hurt Nigeria's oil exports—costing at least eight hundred thousand barrels per day, or over 25 percent of the country's oil output, ...
[70]
Oil And Violence In The Niger Delta Isn't Talked About Much, But It ...
Feb 13, 2017 · At their peak, the MEND attacks cost the Nigerian government billions of dollars in lost oil earnings.
[71]
(PDF) An Analytical Evaluation of the Cost of the Conflict in Nigeria's ...
Aug 6, 2025 · The costs of the conflicts ranged from loss of lives and property, negative impact on welfare of the people, reduction in oil production and ...
[72]
How Tompolo helped Tinubu fix Nigeria's Rivers State crisis
Jun 6, 2025 · Tompolo is now a key government ally thanks to a lucrative N48bn pipeline surveillance contract awarded by President Muhammadu Buhari and renewed by Tinubu.
[73]
Tompolo's positive impact beyond Gbaramatu; nationwide
Jul 28, 2024 · ... political patronage that replicates High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo's influence and nationwide impact, rather than vilify him.
[74]
https://punchng.com/2027-jonathan-faces-mounting-pressure-to-drop-presidential-bid/
[75]
https://www.tvcnews.tv/tompolo-urges-jonathan-to-drop-2027-presidential-ambition-support-tinubu/
[76]
TOMPOLO DONATES ₦10 BILLION TO DELTA STATE SECURITY ...
Oct 15, 2025 · ... Tompolo, for his outstanding contributions to security, development, and environmental sustainability in the Niger Delta region. This was ...
[77]
Niger Delta Leaders Demand Action Against Tompolo's Power and ...
Jul 29, 2025 · Presidential Amnesty Programme Administrator, Dennis Otuaro Accused ... The long history of exploitation and abuse in Nigeria's most important oil ...Missing: program | Show results with:program
[78]
Tompolo, Tantita, and Nigeria's Relentless Battle Against Oil Theft
Oct 17, 2025 · NNPC's Tantita Security Intercepts Another Massive Vessel With Stolen ... reduce/stop illegal bunkering and other forms of oil theft. The ...
[79]
Nigerian ex-militant Tompolo issues warning over Niger Delta ...
May 30, 2021 · A former Nigerian militant leader whose group attacked oil facilities in the Niger Delta said on Sunday there would be a "breakdown of law ...
[80]
Taking down Tompolo | Article - Africa Confidential
Dec 18, 2015 · One of the shrewdest and wealthiest militant leaders in the Niger Delta, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, faces a legal battle ...<|separator|>
[81]
10 Untold Facts About Tompolo You Never Knew ... - Facebook
May 15, 2025 · Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo predominantly referred to by his sobriquet Tompolo is a former Nigerian militant commander of the Movement for ...
[82]
Tompolo Net Worth 2025: Biography, Age, Wife & Children
Jul 2, 2024 · Tompolo whose real name is Government Oweizidei Thomas Ekpemupolo, was born on the 12th of April 1971 in Okerenkoko, a riverine community in ...Missing: upbringing background
[83]
Birthday bash at the residence of Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Ekpemupolo ...
Oct 1, 2025 · Victoria Ekpemupolo,wife of Government Tom-Polo She's popularly known as the Mama of the Niger Delta. May be an image of 8 people and people ...
[84]
Tompolo Biography: Age, Parents, Wife, Daughter, House, Shrine ...
Tompolo is married to Victoria and they have a daughter together named Mary Ekpemupolo. The family reside in Delta State. Social Media. Tompolo is not active on ...
[85]
Tompolo Biography: Family, Spouse, Real Name, Career, Net Worth ...
Oct 15, 2025 · Tompolo (born Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo) is a Nigerian businessman, traditional chief, and former militant leader known for his significant ...
[86]
Tompolo's Family Celebrates Love: Ebiere Ekpemupolo Ties the ...
Nov 27, 2024 · Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, has tied the knot traditionally with her beloved Kenneth Femi Efe Eyemi from Okpe kingdom.
[87]
GbaramatuVoice TV - Facebook
Dec 1, 2024 · Catch a glimpse of the colorful traditional marriage ceremony of Ebiere, sister to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), and her husband, Mr. Kenneth ...
[88]
Woyengi, the Creator Goddess of the Ijaw People of Nigeria
May 15, 2022 · Woyengi is the creator goddess of the Ijaw people of Nigeria. She is also known as the goddess of fate in certain depictions.
[89]
What is Egbesu? - United Ijaw
The creator deity in Ijo religion is feminine. Thus most of the words which refer to the Supreme Being are feminine. TAMARA is the woman who created us; WOYIN ...
[90]
Ex-militant leader Tompolo tasks religious leaders, others on ...
Apr 16, 2023 · Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has urged politicians and religious leaders to always be upright in the discharge of their responsibilities.Missing: Woyin | Show results with:Woyin
[91]
Prayer and Sacrifice to strong Ijaw deity in Gbaramatu Kingdom
Feb 24, 2024 · In this exclusive footage, witness the revered Ijaw spiritual leader, High Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo as he performed ...
[92]
The Dialogue: Tompolo and Aziza Deity, Vows Fulfilment and the ...
Jun 19, 2023 · ... Tompolo, the eyes ... Before the coming of the European Gospel of God, the Africans, the Ijaw of the Niger Delta region, already knew Woyin ...
[93]
Tompolo's Firm, Tantita to Deploy Drones to Protect National Assets ...
Aug 21, 2025 · Captain Enisuoh then disclosed that Tantita Security Services has purchased drones to effectively secure the pipelines against oil theft ...<|separator|>
[94]
OIL THEFT: How Tompolo's Tantita Has Changed The Ugly ...
Jul 21, 2025 · Tantita is owned by renowned former Niger Delta ex-agitator and leader, High Chief. (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo. Unlike ...
[95]
https://x.com/DSGovernment/status/1980264688140099588
[96]
Declining Oil Theft: FG urged to increase Tantita's contract sum
Sep 22, 2025 · Akpodoro said the call became necessary following reports of steady improvement in Nigeria's crude oil production and reduction in theft, which ...Missing: NNPC results
[97]
Court Upholds NNPCL Pipeline Contract with Tantita Security
Sep 30, 2025 · Tantita Security and other engaged outfits were contracted to protect critical oil infrastructure. Operations in 2024 reportedly led to notable ...
[98]
Tompolo donates N10 billion at Delta security trust fund launch
Oct 16, 2025 · In his remarks, Governor Oborevwori said the Security Trust Fund established by law in 2013 was designed as a collaborative platform for ...
[99]
Lokpobiri lauds Tompolo on peace in Niger Delta, urges FG to ...
Oct 15, 2025 · Lokpobiri also appealed to the Federal Government to expand the scope of the contracts awarded to Tantita Security Services Limited and Maton ...
[100]
https://punchng.com/i-didnt-issue-fg-ultimatum-on-nnamdi-kanu-tompolo/
[101]
https://thenationonlineng.net/nnamdi-kanu-tompolo-distances-self-from-21-day-ultimatum-to-fg/
[102]
https://thesourceng.com/tompolo-i-have-nothing-to-do-with-nnamdi-kanu-didnt-call-for-his-release/
[103]
Tompolo denies hailing 2023 election - The Guardian Nigeria News
Mar 9, 2023 · Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, has denied hailing the outcome of the 2023 general election.<|separator|>
[104]
2023: Tompolo refutes viral video on presidential election
Mar 8, 2023 · EFFURUN – High Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, has refuted a viral video credited to him after the February 25th presidential and ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[105]
VIRAL VIDEO: Tompolo Denies Making Comments On Presidential ...
Former Militant leader, High Chief Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, has today denied making any comments about the outcome of the 2023 Presidential ...Missing: rumors denials