GBARAMATU — A viral storm is brewing in the heart of the Niger Delta as a prominent follower of the ex-militant leader and security mogul, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo), has publicly called out his boss over alleged double standards in the fight against crude oil theft.
In a raw and emotionally charged video released on Wednesday night, February 18, 2026, the follower accused Tompolo’s security outfit, Tantita Security Services, of targeting local “small-fry” operators while allegedly turning a blind eye to high-ranking government officials who are reportedly loading stolen crude on a massive scale.
The “Double Standard” Allegation
The critic, who identified himself as a long-time loyalist from the creeks, expressed the bitter frustration of local youths who feel they have been “sold out” for multi-billion naira surveillance contracts.
“Chief Tompolo, you asked us to stop stealing crude oil, but these are government officials going to load crude oil illegally,” the follower declared, staring directly into the camera. “Everyone is collecting contracts and keeping quiet. We are nobody now in society while the nation’s resources are carted away by a few. You cannot stop the poor while the rich are loading ships.”
“The Vultures are in the Villa” — Nigerians React with Fury
The outburst has triggered an explosion of biting criticism from Nigerians, many of whom have long suspected that the “industrial-scale” theft of Nigeria’s oil is an “insider job” orchestrated by the political and security elite.
- “The Sharing Formula Changed”: “When the boys who do the dirty work start talking, you know the sharing formula has been tampered with,” remarked an Abuja-based security analyst. “The follower is right; you can’t tell the hungry youth to stop ‘bunkering’ when the people in the Navy and the Ministry are allegedly doing the ‘official’ loading themselves.”
- “Contracts for Silence”: Critics on X (formerly Twitter) have blasted the President Bola Tinubu administration for the recent ₦48 billion renewal of Tompolo’s contract. “This isn’t security; it’s a bribe to keep the Niger Delta quiet while the big thieves finish the country,” one viral post read. “Who is watching the watcher?”
- The “Navy vs. Tompolo” Feud: Many Nigerians pointed out the irony, referencing the perpetual “clash” between Tantita and the Nigerian Navy, with both sides frequently accusing the other of protecting “oil barons.”
Tantita Under the Microscope
While Tompolo’s company has successfully intercepted several illegal vessels—including a 1,500-metric-ton ship in Delta State—the allegation of “selective enforcement” continues to haunt the operation.
The Coalition of Civil Rights Organizations has defended Tantita, dismissing the follower’s claims as the “desperate antics of disgruntled thieves” whose illegal pipelines were disconnected.
However, for the local residents of the Delta, the follower’s cry feels like a “hard truth” that the authorities would rather ignore. As of Thursday morning, February 19, the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the NNPC have not issued a formal rebuttal to the “official loading” claims.
