Tompolo: Militancy, business, politics
For more than two decades, Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, operated majorly at the regional level. Though very well known in the Niger Delta region, not much was heard of him on the national stage until recently due to his proximity to the federal government through contracts and his unprecedented role in the […]
Tompolo, also known as Obaseki Ekpemupolo, is a prominent figure from the Niger Delta region. Born on April 12, 1971, in Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, he pursued his education at Okepopo Primary School and the National Comprehensive College, Warri. His career initially revolved around contract work as a diesel supplier to oil companies in the Niger Delta.
Tompolo's involvement in activism began during the armed struggles of the late 1990s, as tensions between the Ijaw and Itsekiri communities escalated. He became associated with the Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities and later joined the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), where he rose to the rank of a commander.
His activities primarily focused on attacking oil installations, kidnapping personnel, and disrupting petroleum production, driven by grievances concerning the neglect of oil-producing communities and demands for greater participation in the region's resources.
Following the Amnesty Programme introduced by President Umaru Musa Yar’adua in 2009, Tompolo surrendered his weapons in October 2009, marking a significant turning point in his life. Subsequently, he shifted his focus towards private business, particularly in maritime security, oil and gas, and community relations. His familiarity with the Niger Delta waterways proved invaluable in this new venture.
Tompolo founded Global West Vessel Specialists Limited in 2011-2012, which assisted the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in securing Nigeria's waterways and improving logistics.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Trust's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
