SEE WHAT EX-MILITANT TOMPOLO HAS TO SAY ABOUT BUYING WARSHIPS

Ex Niger Delta militant, High Chief Government Ekpemupolio popurlarly known as Tompolo has described reports making round that he acquired some gunboats from the Norwegian government, as cheap blackmail.

Speaking through his spokesman, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, Tompolo said there is no element of truth in the reports.

Report had surfaced over the weekend that the former militant had acquired the gunboats with the assistance of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) ostensibly for the policing of the nation’s waterways.

According to his spokesman, the said boats have been in the care of NIMASA for about two years now and they are not warships or gunboats, Today reports.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubts, the boats are not warships or gunboats as being erroneously spread by mischief makers.

“The boats as acquired are neither equipped with war arsenals nor are they ammunition carriers. They are simply boats equipped with modern surveillance devices to track oil thieves and in the process, increase the nation’s revenue base through NIMASA.

“Similarly, Tompolo is not in charge of the said boats as upon acquisition, the boats were handed over to NIMASA which in turn involved the Nigerian Navy in their usage and operations.”

Tompolo’s spokesman said he was not surprised that the report was coming at a time that the country is facing serious security challenges and the 2015 elections fast approaching.

He said: “For one, the initial reaction was to just ignore this cheap blackmail and forge ahead with personal commitments but the propensity with which these lies are daily peddled requires that a bit of clarifications is given to the Nigerian public.

“Clearly, the intent of those behind the malicious media report is to weigh me down, paint me as someone with the desire to wage war against the Nigerian state by painting a picture of an arms build-up in the Niger Delta as 2015 approaches.

“On the issue relating to the alleged purchase of war boats, it smacks of ignorance on the part of those who have taken an ignoble delight to embark on this despicable path; it is pertinent for the ignorance of those behind this blackmail to be exposed. 

“Perhaps, it is apt to say that this latest blackmail could not have come from any quarter other than some Niger Delta politicians whose desire to enslave others has not only failed but backfired. The masterminds of this cannot cow me to withdraw my support for President Goodluck Jonathan.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerians and indeed the Nigerian media can do the nation a big favour by contacting the Norwegian Embassy for more details on the boats in question.”

He therefore warned those who were going about tarnishing his image to desist from doing so.

Reacting to news that Tompolo had acquired seven decommissioned Norwegian battleships, a Warri study group had demanded the cancelation of the contract awarded to Global West Vessel Service to secure Nigerian coastline citing Tompolo as a threat to national security.