Government Oweizide Tompolo, popularly known as Tompolo is the former militant commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) – a rebel group known for fighting against oil exploration in the South-South region of Nigeria.
During his years as a militant, Tompolo was ever ready to defend his people and fight the Nigerian Government and Oil exploration companies that were exploiting the Niger Delta people.
Being an ex-commander of MEND made him one of the richest men in Nigeria.
In this article, we’ll give you details about Tompolo’s biography, his life as a militant and how he was able to make his fortune.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Government Oweizidei Thomas Ekpemupolo |
| Nickname | Tompolo |
| Age | 54 |
| Date of Birth | 12th April 1971 |
| Place of Birth | Warri, Delta |
| State of Origin | Delta |
| Tribe | Ijaw |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Ex-militant, activist and businessman |
| Related Figures | Ayiri Emami, Ned Nwoko, Asari Dokubo |
| Net worth | Billions of Naira |
Early Life and Education
Tompolo whose real name is Government Oweizidei Thomas Ekpemupolo, was born on the 12th of April 1971 in Okerenkoko, a riverine community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri, Delta State.
His family is the Okerenoko Royal Family in the Gbaramatu Traditional Kingdom. The ex-militant is a traditionalist and the chief priest of the Egbesu Deity.
His father, Late Chief Thomas Expemupole was married to five wives and Tompolo’s mother was the oldest of the wives.
Tompolo attended Okepopo school in Warri for his primary education.
Militancy
Tompolo became famous in the early 2000’s. He was once one of Nigeria’s most wanted men, considered dangerous by the government because of his crimes as a militant with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).
The group was known for attacking government oil exploration sites and kidnapping oil workers in organized attacks between 2006-2009.
They caused major disruption in the oil and gas sector, destroyed properties and decreased the oil production in Nigeria by a quarter.
Age
Tompolo is 54 years old in 2025.
Tompolo Net Worth
Tompolo is rumored to be worth billions of naira. While his exact net worth is unknown, we cannot deny how wealthy the ex-militant is. Judging by his luxury lifestyle and assets, he is no doubt one of the richest and most influential men from Delta.
It is rumored that he acquired millions of naira from the government after he was granted amnesty with his group. He also allegedly made money from illegal oil bunkering and arms trade.
Source of Income
Here are some of the deals that have made Tompolo the wealthy businessman he is today;
Pipeline surveillance from the federal government and NNPC
In September 2022, it was reported that the Federal Government awarded a N48 billion annual pipeline surveillance contract in the Niger Delta to Tompolo.
Global West Vessel Specialist Limited (GWVSL)
The federal government awarded Tompolo’s company, GWVSL, a $103.4 million (₦15 billion) contract through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The 10-year concession allowed GWVSL to supply 20 patrol vessels to help police and monitor Nigeria’s waterways.
The contract was approved by President Goodluck Jonathan in November 2011 and formalized by the Federal Executive Council in January 2012.
It was structured as a public–private partnership, with GWVSL funding the project and recouping investment from maritime revenue collections.
Some sources suggest that the contract was designed for 10 years, and at the time of reporting (about 2015) it had been active for 3 years.
Tantita Security Services (TSSNL)
Tantita is often described as Tompolo’s security outfit involved in anti-oil-theft operations, pipeline protection, and contract security in the Niger Delta.
TSSNL has embarked on at least one agriculture initiative in the Niger Delta, projected to be funded by Tantita to the tune of N2.53 billion over the first three years.
Amnesty payments to former Militant
Some reports allege that under the amnesty / peace programmes following Niger Delta unrest, Tompolo (and other ex-militant leaders) received substantial sums from the government purportedly to maintain peace.
For example, a 2012 Sahara Reporters article states that Tompolo allegedly received USD 22.5 million annually under some arrangement to “keep 4,000 soldiers at bay.”
Note: The exact amounts and payment schedules for many of these contracts are not publicly confirmed in fully audited or transparent sources. Some are based on investigative journalism, leaks, or political claims.
Some contracts (especially maritime contracts) ascribed to Tompolo have also been reportedly terminated by later administrations.
Cars, Houses and other Properties
Despite living a lowkey lifestyle, Tompolo doesn’t seem to shy away from purchasing luxury items.
In 2013, it was revealed that he owned a private jet which cost about 2 billion naira.
He is also known to be the owner of several luxury apartments in Warri, and other parts of Nigeria.
Parked in his garage in Warri are also some of the most expensive cars.
Personal Life
Tompolo lives a very private life, he rarely grants interviews and prefers to stay close to his hometown in Niger Delta. He is a community leader and a lot of his followers regard him as a protector and benefactor.
Following his legal troubles, he successfully kept out of the public eye for over six years.
His first public appearance was on October 19, 2020, when he was sighted at the Egbesu shrine in his hometown of Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State.
He is also deeply spiritual and is known for publicly advocating for the liberation of the Niger Delta region Spiritual head of the Woyin faith.
While details of his marital life is sketchy, Tompolo is known to have only one wife, Chief Victoria Ekpemupolo, aka Mama Niger Delta.
Tompolo is blessed with many children who remain mostly private, except for his daughter Miss Mary Osen Ekpemuoplo.
She was first seen online in December 2024 when she attended the Tantita Award Night, hosted by the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
Controversies
Tompolo has had a lot of controversies in his lifetime and below are some of the most public controversies and challenges he has faced so far.
Human Rights and Abuse Allegations
Tompolo’s company, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), has faced several accusations from human rights groups and community organizations.
Some reports claimed that Tantita operatives were involved in illegal arrests, detentions, and even torture of suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta.
These claims made waves online, sparking debates about whether a private firm should have such powers.
However, Tompolo’s supporters dismissed the allegations as cheap blackmail, insisting they were tactics from oil thieves and political rivals who were unhappy with Tantita’s success in curbing crude oil theft.
So far, no court or government agency has confirmed the claims, leaving the issue in a grey area of public opinion.
Buhari vs Tompolo: When Old Allies Became Suspects
In 2015, just after President Muhammadu Buhari came into power, Tompolo (Government Ekpemupolo) met with him in Abuja.
The meeting was facilitated by some influential Nigerians, and Tompolo pledged to help maintain peace in the Niger Delta. But things turned ugly soon after.
Though Buhari appeared to accept Tompolo’s olive branch, security agents, especially the EFCC, began pursuing him. In 2016, a bench warrant was issued, and Tompolo went underground.
His bank accounts and assets were reportedly frozen. Supporters say the trouble wasn’t because of anything Tompolo did after his meeting with Buhari, but rather because powerful politicians from the Niger Delta were uncomfortable with Tompolo’s rising influence.
According to Vanguard, some of these people allegedly “poisoned” Buhari’s mind against him, leading to the EFCC forays.
Even while laying low, Tompolo is said to have continued working behind the scenes: using contacts, helping reduce crime, kidnapping, and oil facility attacks in his region.
He reportedly relocated to Gbaramatu (his home base) when the heat from security agents intensified.
The fallout from this relationship shift also affected Tompolo’s public image and his finances. Funds dried up, and his ability to move freely was curtailed.
Pipeline Surveillance Contract Controversy
When the Federal Government handed Tompolo a N48 billion annual pipeline surveillance contract, people accused the government of enriching ex-militants at taxpayers’ expense. But Tompolo and his camp defended the contract, pointing out that Tantita’s operations have drastically reduced oil theft, improved crude output, and provided jobs for Niger Delta youths.
Political Tension Protests
In 2023, Arewa youth groups stormed the NNPCL headquarters in Abuja, demanding that the government cancel Tompolo’s contract.
They argued that such huge deals should not be concentrated in the hands of one individual. After their protests, several Niger Delta groups countered with their own demonstrations, accusing northern protesters of being jealous and sponsored by oil thieves.
Clashes with Security Agencies
Tompolo’s Tantita has also faced some clashes with some government forces. In late 2024, there were reports of a face-off between Tantita operatives and the Nigerian Navy, after Tompolo accused certain naval officers of aiding oil theft.
The Navy denied the claims and even arrested four Tantita staff members.
Legal Concerns
Another big question surrounding Tompolo’s work is whether a private firm like Tantita should have the power to detain suspects or carry firearms. Legal experts have argued that such authority belongs only to state agencies.
Tompolo’s team, however, insists that Tantita operates under the supervision of the NNPCL and federal authorities, and that their activities are fully within the law.
Rivalries Within the Niger Delta
Even within his home turf, Tompolo has faced challenges. Some other ex-militant leaders like Asari Dokubo and Ateke Tom have accused him of monopolizing federal contracts and sidelining other stakeholders in the Niger Delta.
In 2020, Rights group, Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, said Tompolo spent four years in the forest, allegedly abandoned by friends during that period.
Founding MEND
Tompolo is recognized as the founder of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), formed at Camp 5 in Gbaramatu.
He gathered leaders across the Niger Delta to unite their struggle for resource control and environmental justice.
MEND became infamous for attacks on oil installations, kidnappings of expatriates, and major disruptions to Nigeria’s oil production.
Conclusion
Tompolo is a powerful figure in the Niger Delta. While he is often praised for reducing oil theft, he faces a lot of controversies for most of his dealings with the government.
His influence remains strong, despite being absent from the public eyes for many years.
