Niger Delta Boils as Chief Wariyai Alleges ₦2bn Debt, Calls for Tompolo’s Removal from Bayelsa Operations
By Passman Akpos
YENAGOA, Bayelsa State — Niger Delta leader, Chief Pius Wariyai, has publicly accused High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and businessman Matthew Tonlagha of withholding more than ₦2 billion allegedly owed to him and his operatives for pipeline surveillance services carried out in Bayelsa State.
Speaking on the dispute, Wariyai condemned the actions of Tompolo and their companies, Tantita Security Services Limited and Maton Engineering Limited, describing the alleged non-payment as “wickedness to mankind.”
According to him, the debt arose after he and his team reportedly fulfilled their responsibilities under the Bayelsa segment of the pipeline surveillance contract. He alleged that payment was withheld because he refused to comply with personal directives that, according to him, were outside the terms of the official agreement and conflicted with his principles.
Wariyai argued that the controversy highlights the need for the Federal Government to decentralise the multi-billion-naira pipeline surveillance contract across the Niger Delta, allowing each oil-producing state and its indigenous stakeholders to manage security operations within their respective territories.
He maintained that Bayelsa leaders and ex-agitators who played significant roles in restoring peace in the Niger Delta have been sidelined under the current arrangement, insisting that local participation would promote fairness, accountability and sustainable peace.
The Niger Delta leader further claimed that individuals from Oporoza recently reached out to him in an attempt to broker peace following his public criticism, but stressed that his position goes beyond personal grievances and is focused on what he described as the need for systemic reforms in the management of pipeline surveillance contracts.
Wariyai also criticised what he described as the concentration of influence in the hands of a few individuals, alleging that opportunities intended to benefit the wider Niger Delta have become monopolised, leaving many Bayelsa stakeholders excluded from participating in security operations within their own state.
He specifically questioned why notable Bayelsa ex-agitator leaders, including Chief Victor-Ben Ebikabowei, popularly known as General Boyloaf, were allegedly excluded from pipeline surveillance operations in Bayelsa despite their contributions to the Niger Delta peace process and the emergence of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
According to Wariyai, sidelining indigenous leaders who contributed to stabilising the region risks creating unnecessary tensions and could undermine the peace that has supported oil production in recent years.
He concluded by calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene by decentralising the pipeline surveillance structure and ensuring that Bayelsa’s segment of the contract is managed by indigenous stakeholders from the state.
As of the time of filing this report, Tantita Security Services Limited, Maton Engineering Limited, Tompolo and Matthew Tonlagha had not publicly responded to the allegations. Their responses will be included if made available.
