Tompolo denies links with militants bombing pipelines

Former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo, has denied having any link with militant groups bombing pipelines in the Niger Delta region.

This is coming on the heels of the Federal Government’s efforts to reach a compromise with groups in the area.

According to Punch, Tompolo said he did not ask anybody to destroy pipelines because of his case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Speaking through his spokesman, Paul Bebenimibo, on Sunday, November 20, 2016, the ex-militant leader said he will pursue his case with the EFCC through non-violent means.

Bebenimibo said “The attention of my client, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo has been drawn to an online publication by a faceless person or persons, that militants have vowed to attack more oil facilities over Tompolo if the Federal Government of Nigeria refused to drop the criminal charges against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“High Chief Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) unequivocally dissociates himself from this threat as he did not send anyone to attack oil facilities in the Niger Delta region because of his case with the EFCC. Tompolo has consistently denied involvement in the resurgence of bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.”

Tompolo was declared wanted by the EFCC for allegedly refusing to appear in court following allegations of fraud amounting to billions of Naira levelled against him.

Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Avengers have slammed President Buhari over what they have described as his demeaning treatment of people from the oil rich region.

The notorious militant group also invited the President to the oil rich region for talks.