Whispers of manipulation and abuse of power have evolved into a full-blown storm surrounding Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, a notorious figure in the Niger Delta. He faces accusations of exploiting his prominent role in pipeline surveillance to target competitors and solidify his control over lucrative security contracts.

Ebimene Tokowei, spokesperson for the Niger Delta Mandate, has unleashed a scathing critique, accusing Tompolo of orchestrating false accusations against other Niger Delta leaders. Tokowei asserts these actions are a calculated maneuver to silence dissenting voices and ensure Tompolo's continued dominance in the Federal Government's pipeline protection initiatives.

At the heart of these accusations is the case of eleven young men arrested in January 2024 by Tantita Security Services, a company linked to Tompolo. The men, later exonerated by the court due to insufficient evidence, claim they were apprehended while fishing and subsequently coerced into falsely implicating Chief Victor Ben Ebikabowei, also known as Boyloaf, in criminal activities.

A video circulating on social media shows the young men recounting their ordeal. They allege being blindfolded, taken to a vessel, and pressured to confess that Boyloaf had sent them to steal in the high seas. They claim severe beatings were inflicted upon them for their refusal to comply. The men further allege they were taken to Oporoza, where Tompolo himself pressured them to falsely accuse Boyloaf. After refusing, they were allegedly unjustly imprisoned for a year and eight months.

Tokowei argues that this incident exposes a pattern of behavior by Tompolo aimed at silencing potential challengers like Boyloaf and maintaining a stranglehold on pipeline protection jobs in the region.

The Niger Delta Mandate is urging the Federal Government to decentralize the pipeline surveillance contracts, distributing them among stakeholders in different states, warning against concentrating too much power in Tompolo's hands. Tokowei believes this concentration of power poses a significant threat to the long-term stability and development of the region.

Adding another layer to the accusations, Tokowei alleges that Tompolo has exploited his pipeline surveillance contracts to force young men into serving idols and perpetrating various atrocities, including human rights violations and killings.

Tokowei cautioned the security agencies and the presidency that associating closely with Tompolo would tarnish the government's reputation, noting that numerous victims of his alleged abuses have pursued legal action against him, including cases of ongoing kidnapping.