Ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo has disclosed that no less than 58 illegal oil points have been discovered in the Niger Delta.
This is following the recent operation to end illegal oil activities in the region.
At a press briefing at Oporoza community, Warri South-West LGA, Delta State, on Sunday, Tompolo gave an update on the recent discovery of a 4km illegal crude oil pipeline in the Forcados area of the state.
According to him, said the 58 uncovered oil points were “tapped in both Delta and Bayelsa states.”
He said with this breakthrough, stakeholders in the region are optimistic about winning the war against crude oil theft.
The former militant leader also lauded the efforts of the Nigerian military and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) for collaborating with him on the operation, promising to do everything possible to bring the menace to a halt.
“You know, we are doing this work together with security agencies. We are only providing intelligence for the security people to assist to do the work. So, everybody – both NNPC and others– we are working together in a very good spirit now.
“The major problem is that the aquatic life of the area is gone. We are doing everything within our powers together with the traditional rulers and everyone to see that – with the help of the Nigerian Navy, Army DSS, and everybody – we reduce this to the barest minimum so that our people can survive after this time,” he added.