The Defence Headquarters and a coalition of civil society organisations, CSOs, led by a Tinubu support group, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors of Nigeria, RHAN, and the Centre for Action Against Corruption, CAAC, on Thursday faulted claims made by ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, concerning oil theft in Nigeria.

Tompolo, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, which is executing the pipeline protection contract awarded by the Nigerian government, had while receiving the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, on Monday, accused the military, particularly the Nigerian Navy, of involvement in oil theft.

He accused the Navy of working at cross purposes with other state actors and private security outfits tasked with checking oil theft in the Niger Delta.

However, speaking at a biweekly update on military operations on Thursday in Abuja, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, dismissed Tompolo’s claims, describing it as ‘cheap blackmail’.

The Defence Headquarters spokesman said: “As to the question regarding the Nigerian Navy and the CEO of Tantita, you see, I’m almost laughing because it’s laughable. But what I want to say about this situation is this: We seek cooperation, not conflict.

“But all this cheap blackmail has to stop. Come on, we should move faster. We need to act in the best interest of our nation, particularly at this time when we need that revenue. We will work together with our partners.”

Also speaking on the issue on Thursday, the CSOs, led by RHAN and CAAC, condemned Tompolo’s allegations, which they described as unsubstantiated, baseless, frivolous and lacking in merit.

At a press conference in Abuja, the CSOs insisted that Tompolo lacks the moral justification to denigrate the Nigerian Navy, highlighting his antecedents, including his history as a wanted fugitive and member of a militant coalition that terrorised and kidnapped oil workers.

Abdullahi Bilal and Olayemi Isaacs, leaders of RHAN and CAAC, respectively, who addressed journalists, noted that under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Nigerian Navy has achieved significant milestones, including the destruction of illegal refining sites, arrest of sea pirates and reduction in maritime crimes while clocking over 21,630 hours of patrol, resulting in numerous arrests and seizures.

Warning that unsubstantiated allegations could lead to chaos and increased criminality, the CSOs urged the Nigerian Navy to remain focused and resilient in the fight against oil theft.

They added: “It is our collective responsibility to fight against those forces and interests which try to undermine our very collective existence and interests and ensure we annihilate them. This is why we are here today.

“This, to us, is an apt opportunity to take the bull by the horns and conscientise the public on the evil intentions of Tompolo and the sensitive nature of his allegation, as it tries to undermine the Nigerian Navy and also reduce the morale of the fighting gallant men in the field.

“We must also warn of the chaos, destruction and upsurge in criminalities if such misinformation and mischief continue unchecked and unmitigated. Our interest is the national interest.

“We believe that lifting this curtain of secrecy and mischief will move the nation forward, encourage the Armed Forces and indeed the security forces all over the nation, as the sacrifice to secure us.

“We, therefore, call on all lovers of peace and workers with God to join us to condemn this orchestrated onslaught against those men who have decided to haphazard their lives so that we can live in peace and quiet.”