Report credited to The Nation has it that a
combine military task force on Sunday, January 17, launched a manhunt
for Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.
This comes on the heels of the attacks on oil installations in Warri Southwest local government area on Thursday night, January 14.
It is believed that Tompolo, his associates and other believed to be masterminds of attacks on crude production and export from Warri are being chased by the military task force.
The media outfit also reports that at least one suspect was arrested in connection with the attacks.
After militants had hit major gas and crude oil trunk lines,
including the major Escravos-Warri-Lagos-Abuja gas trunk line of the
Nigerian Gas Company and several platforms of oil multinationals
operating in the region, it was gathered that plans to hit more oil
facilities, including the Opumami location of Con Oil Limited, were
foiled by the security operatives in the early hours of today.
However, Tompolo had condemned the attack on Thursday night in a chat with The Nation. He said he had nothing to do with it.
A statement from the camp of the ex-Niger Delta militant reads: “I (Tompolo) am not responsible for the attack and I condemn it as a dastardly act. I am aware that some persons might want to destroy oil installations and link it with me that was why I said before time that I have nothing to do with it.
“I could not have gone ahead to carry out such action knowing that every finger will be pointed at me because of my case with the federal government.”
But the latest violence in the region began after a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered security operatives to arrest the Niger Delta ex-militant leader for trial on a N34bn fraud.
This comes on the heels of the attacks on oil installations in Warri Southwest local government area on Thursday night, January 14.
It is believed that Tompolo, his associates and other believed to be masterminds of attacks on crude production and export from Warri are being chased by the military task force.
The media outfit also reports that at least one suspect was arrested in connection with the attacks.
Troops begin search for Tompolo
However, Tompolo had condemned the attack on Thursday night in a chat with The Nation. He said he had nothing to do with it.
A statement from the camp of the ex-Niger Delta militant reads: “I (Tompolo) am not responsible for the attack and I condemn it as a dastardly act. I am aware that some persons might want to destroy oil installations and link it with me that was why I said before time that I have nothing to do with it.
“I could not have gone ahead to carry out such action knowing that every finger will be pointed at me because of my case with the federal government.”
But the latest violence in the region began after a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered security operatives to arrest the Niger Delta ex-militant leader for trial on a N34bn fraud.
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