Former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo has opened up on the number of illegal oil points discovered in the South-South region of the country.
According to him, 58 illegal oil points have been discovered.
Tompolo made this known in a press briefing on Sunday at Oporoza town in Delta State in the operation to end oil theft, according to Channels Television.
The former militant leader said the illegal connections were uncovered on the waterways of Delta and Bayelsa states, adding that the war against crude oil theft will be won.
He said: “I think we have found over 58 points that have been tapped in both Delta and Bayelsa states.”
Tompolo also commended the effort of the military and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NPPCL) for collaborating with him on the operation.
The former militant leader, however, promised to do everything possible to bring the oil theft menace to a halt.
He said: “You know, we are doing this work together with security agencies. We are only providing intelligence for the security people to assist to do the work. So, everybody – both NNPC and others– we are working together in a very good spirit now.
“The major problem is that the aquatic life of the area is gone. We are doing everything within our powers together with the traditional rulers and everyone to see that – with the help of the Nigerian Navy, Army DSS, and everybody – we reduce this to the barest minimum so that our people can survive after this time.”