TOMPOLO: Arewa groups attack each other over FG awarding contract to ex-militant leader

The Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Groups (CACSG) has commended the award of pipeline surveillance to  Niger Delta former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo.

Mallam Aminu Abbas, spokesman of the group in a statement said it’s high time the government and people of the north reached out to people like Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and other brave and gallant individuals to deploy their native strength and expertise to assist in securing critical infrastructure.

The group described as unpatriotic a call made by a faceless Arewa group on the crude oil surveillance contract awarded by the federal government through NNPC Limited to Ekpemupolo.

“The condemnation call is baseless hence we distance the good people of northern Nigeria from such a myopic action of some faceless group camouflaging in the name of AREWA,” the group said.

“It’s important to note that the era of shadow chasing is over. What is expected of any concern Arewa group at this critical material time is to engage all concerned stakeholders from within and outside our region on how best to address the lingering problem of insecurity and bring it to a logical end,” the statement observed.

The group believed that engaging notable individuals to secure the nation’s economy would in no small measure boost the Nigerian economy.

“We as the Coalition of all Civil Society groups in the Northern part of this country have decided to come out en masse within seven days to thank Mr President for taking the decision that would secure our National assets,” the statement read.

“We are confident that the government has awarded the contract to Tompolo company base on his track record, loyalty and dedication to the Nation and his familiarity to the terrain and this will help reduce oil theft and bunkering by over 85% against what we are currently witnessing as well improve IGR of our nation.

“It’s high time we join hands together with our southern brothers to build our nation together and do away with all forms of ethnic sentiments, the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari has done the right thing by awarding the contract to him for the sole purpose of protecting part of our vital national wealth/infrastructure.”