The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Nigerian state oil company, has entered into a security contract with a company owned by the former militant Tompolo. The contracts signed are intended to combat the theft of oil from the oil infrastructure.
In the 2000s, Tompolo led the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). At that time, the militant group’s attacks on oil companies paralyzed the country’s production.
NNPC faces insecurity problems
The contract between NNPC and Tompolo’s company is one of five security contracts awarded. Nigeria is currently experiencing unrest in its oil production. Indeed, thefts and sabotage of pipelines prevent the country from producing and exporting its usual volumes. As a result, Nigeria’s exports fell by 500,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million bpd.
Thus, the attacks coupled with the closure or maintenance of pipelines have led to a drop in Nigerian oil production. It appears that about one tenth of the oil pumped ends up in illegal refineries. As a result, Nigeria is failing to meet OPEC+ pumping quotas.
Tompolo and security contracts
To remedy these problems, the NNPC called on the company of the former activist Tompolo. His real name is Government Ekpemupolo, who led MEND and carried out attacks on oil facilities. By the end of 2015, NNPC was also affected by these attacks, as were international companies such as Shell or Eni.
Paul Bebenimibo, a spokesman for Tompolo, said pipelines in Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Imo states would be protected. He also asked people in the area to stop stealing oil and accept pipeline safety jobs.
An NNPC source confirmed these contracts. However, NNPC itself has not commented on the decision. Spokespersons for Bayelsa, Delta and Imo are aware of these contracts, but are not privy to the details.
Tempolo owns the Global West security company. Other companies responsible for the security of NNPC’s pipelines are Ocean Marine Solutions, Labrador Security Outfit, Asari Dokubo. The fifth company involved remains unknown.
