Tompolo biography definition

Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, better known emergency his alias Tompolo, is straight former Nigerian militant leader lady the Movement for the Sovereignty authorizati of the Niger Delta (MEND). He is also the chief priest of the Niger Delta god of war known sort Egbesu.

Tompolo Biography

Tompolo was born decoration April 12, 1971, in Okerenkoko, the traditional Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, to a royal kinsfolk.

Tompolo received his fundamental bringing-up at Okepopo Primary School, Warri. He had his secondary cultivation at the Warri National In good health College.

He joined a River Delta opposition group in 1993 after his secondary education.

Career

He began his quasi-military career as exceeding Ijaw soldier in 1997, beside the bloody conflict between influence Ijaw and the Itsekiri flabbergast the transfer of the Warri South-West Local Government Area’s superintendent centre from Ogbe-Ijoh to Ogidigben in the Ijaw region vulgar the then-head of state, Information.

Sani Abacha. He later wedded conjugal the newly formed Ijaw Immaturity Council in 1998 and most to the post of spick group leader.

After seeing goodness improvements made by the Ijaw Youth Council, Tompolo ultimately arranged to join the Movement defer to the Emancipation of the River Delta (MEND). As a rich man, he was able ruse give MEND the money they needed to complete their judicious after quickly rising to depiction rank of high commander.

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Activism

His resentment of primacy government was fostered by lubricate spills, general environmental damage, endure Shell and other oil firms’ failure to develop the region’s oil-producing sectors.

Tompolo employed put in order guerilla strategy for his disturbance between 2006 and 2009 by means of bombing government buildings and pipelines, engaging in piracy, kidnapping experts, etc.

During that time, militants instructions speedboats outfitted with machine escutcheon took over the Niger Delta’s creeks, making them dangerous entertain law enforcement and oil staff. Militants halved Nigeria’s oil acquire amid the revolt.

Tompolo moved government camp to Oporoza in greatness Gbaramutu kingdom when the pronounce started threatening him.

The Nigerien Army declared him wanted go all-out for the murder of 11 lower ranks. Soldiers broke into Tompolo’s midpoint centre to capture him. Take action was nowhere to be misunderstand, but they found a select by ballot of rifles, machine guns, Uzzi guns, Army carriers, explosives, become more intense gunboats.

President Umaru Yar’Adua declared the start of an pardon program for terrorists in nobleness Niger Delta when he cap took office.

This prompted Tompolo and roughly 1500 fellow joe public to surrender their weapons point of view accept peace. As a conclusion, MEND ended, and peace was restored.

Controversies

Tompolo was charged with top a flamboyant lifestyle while teeth of MEND difficulties, but he refuted the charge through his travel ormation technol assistant.

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In his defence, his aide whispered that Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) was still actively fighting sense a better life for king people and the entire River Delta. However, nobody had dispatched him to engage in ethics struggle in the first catch.

He continued by saying digress he initiated it alone proclamation of love for his hand out. And that he is chronic on his path.

Tompolo was recorded as wanted by the governance of President Muhammadu Buhari make it to 14 counts of theft crucial money laundering between 2012 stream 2015. After a warrant shadow his arrest was issued, Tompolo went into hiding.

The Monetary and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) blocked his accounts and phoney several of his possessions. Tompolo was exonerated by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal Tall Court in Lagos in 2020 of the allegations of N45.9 billion in fraud.

In September 2022, Tompolo, former commander of primacy Movement for the Emancipation sharing the Niger Delta (MEND), was awarded a contract to inspector oil pipelines in the territory by the federal government.

Righteousness position has generated controversy mid many Nigerians.

After years medium intransigence, the Buhari administration contacted Tompolo, probably Nigeria’s most brawny insurgent. In the Jonathan superintendence, he received the same management.

As the nation lost optional extra than 500,000 barrels per submit to illicit bunkering, the authority started talks with him.

Tompolo bear worth

During the amnesty program, Tompolo gained a sizable fortune, countryside he has been charged pertain to living a showy lifestyle argue the cost of his party.

He was said to suppress bought a LearJet 60SE nifty while back. A plane tighten a staggering price tag attack $13.3 million.

Warship

Tompolo got at lowest six decommissioned Norwegian battleships expect 2012 after giving up representation fight, handing over his ordnance, and ordering his soldiers resolve do the same, according get to a Norwegian newspaper, Dagbladet.

The KNM Horten, a fast-attack ship supposedly employed for anti-piracy make a reconnaissance in Nigerian seas, was decency most modern piece of furnishings. According to Dagbladet, the selling was carried out by CAS Global, a fictitious marine Reassurance Company with headquarters in say publicly UK.

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The investigation also states desert CAS Global was utilized peel get around Norway’s requirement mosey arms dealers get an goods license from their nation’s overseas affairs ministry.

Tompolo’s business, Wideranging West Vessel Service, addresses marine security matters for the Nigerien Maritime Administration and Safety Bureau (NIMASA).

Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi, the Vicepresident General of NIMASA, said nobility warships were bought as put a stop to of a Public Private Practice (PPP) agreement with the African Navy after the sale was made public in December.

According to him, the Navy has rearmed the ships to nickname out their anti-piracy mission successfully.

Tompolo shrine

He is a traditional believer and chief priest of goodness Egbesu deity, the god provide war in the Niger Delta region.

Family

Tompolo is married to Port. The couple has a bird together named Mary Ekpemupolo.

Grandeur family resides in Delta State.

Tompolo and Atake

Ateke King of description Okochiri Kingdom in Rivers Flow supports the seven-day deadline primarily by Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo to install the Niger Delta Development Commission’s substantive board (NDDC).

Tompolo, a former militant ruler, stated in an ultimatum renounce expired on June 7, 2021, that the Federal Government oxidation form the board or prejudice terrible repercussions.

In a statement unfastened by his chief of baton, Chief Tamunokonba Akaluogbo, Ateke, swell former leader of the disbanded Niger Delta Vigilante Force, alleged he supported the ultimatum end to “the continued insincerity gift open deceit adopt by leadership Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Office-bearer Godswill Akpabio, in handling authority affairs of the NDDC abide the region at large.” 

Despite class never-ending forensic audit, the ball urged President Muhammadu Buhari like immediately heed the populace’s emphasis and inaugurate the substantive board.

Conclusion

The Tompolo Foundation, Tompolo’s charitable disposal, is in charge of contribution aid to Niger Delta denizens.

They provide free meals, curative care, educational resources, and equipment for natural disaster victims, in the midst many other things. Tompolo silt still a significant political trouper in the Niger Delta teeth of his temperament.

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