The Federal Government has renewed a multi-million dollar pipeline surveillance contract to a former militant leader and Commander of the defunct Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, The Nation newspaper is reporting.

It is reported that the government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited signed the deal with Tompolo to end illegal bunkering, illegal refining and other forms of oil theft in the Niger Delta.

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A source close to the militant leader, who spoke in confidence with The Nation, said the deal was worth over N4billion monthly.

However, the actual figure and details of the contract could not be immediately confirmed officially as of press time.

The source said the former MEND commander, known for his creek credibility, will monitor and oversee other surveillance contracts, contractors and their activities in the entire Niger Delta.

Who is Tompolo?

Tompolo (Real Name: Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, Born: 12 April
1971) is a Nigerian former militant commander of the Movement for the
Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and the chief priest of the Niger-
Deltan god of war known as the Egbesu deity. He is best known as one of
the commanders of MEND and although his net worth is not known, it is
believed to run into millions.

In contemporary Nigerian society today, a mere mention of the name
Tompolo could spark off trembling fears to many who have never known
or heard about the Niger Delta ex-militant and warlord. Tompolo needs no
further introduction among those who witnessed and survived the era of
the dreadful face-off between the government and militants.

The said battle that followed the agitation of the Movement for the
Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is what made the name Tompolo
very famous. He has remained one of the most influential, richest, and
fearless, former commanders of the militant group.