I’m determined to keep fighting crude oil theft, says Tompolo as he receives NUJ award

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has conferred its internal security meritorious award on Government ‘Tompolo’ Ekpemupolo, the chairman of Tantita Security Services.

Chris Isiguzo, national president of the NUJ, said the award was in recognition of the “sterling contribution” of Tompolo and Tantita to the campaign against crude oil theft.

Isiguzo led the national leadership of the NUJ to confer the award on Tompolo in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta state, on Saturday.

He said it was the first time the NUJ would be conferring the internal security meritorious award on anybody.

“Somebody has risen to the occasion and gathered an array of young men who have taken it upon themselves to help this country continue to survive as a peaceful nation, united and continue to fend for its people,” he said.

“And that is the man that has, to a very large extent, substantially, helped us address the issue of crude oil theft.

“That is one thing that has occupied our national life over time. By his commitment, dedication and diligence, Nigeria, as a country, has to a very large extent, reduced the activities of men of the underworld who have consistently engaged in pilfering, taking our common patrimony for their personal gains.

“The NUJ, having assessed the activities of TSSNL, has decided that we must accord the necessary recognition to the man who carries the flag, birthed this security organization, who has exceptionally distinguished himself.

“The NUJ has come to the Oporoza Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom to honour a distinguished son of the Niger Delta; a general in his own right who has distinguished himself, ensures and maintains an appreciable level of internal security.

“We have come to confer on him, the internal security meritorious award of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

“When you provide information, and intelligence to security operatives and agencies, you have contributed in some measures to reducing the problem of insecurity in the land.

“So, it is a collective responsibility, and all hands must be on deck to ensure we address our problems.

“If Nigeria is peaceful, every part of the country, including your household, will be peaceful and that will give birth to development and progress.”

Speaking on the award, Tompolo said he would do everything to end the “criminal theft of the nation’s crude oil resources” in the Niger Delta region.

He said the country is in serious need of support to stop the activities of those sabotaging the economy for personal gains.