Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, has accused the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy of shielding oil thieves.

The Nigeria Delta activist made the incriminating remark against the military in an interview with Channels TV.

The President Muhammadu Buhari administration recently awarded Tompolo a pipeline security contract.

The deal, which sparked controversy, is to protect oil lines in the six South-South states and is reportedly worth N50billion per year.

Tompolo, former commander of the defunct Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), has vowed to stop oil theft in the region.

“A lot of people are running helter-skelter because they know that there is nothing in this country concerning the riverine that I don’t know”, he said.

Delta-based Tompolo, an Egbesu chief priest, disclosed that youths engaged in the job in other states would soon commence work.

“Once they are fully engaged, we will now call security agencies to call their people to order.

“When you are coming from Warri (capital of Delta), you see security boats all over the place.

“If you look at the whole setting, where this illegal bunkering is taking place…

“…If you have one Navy gunboat, one Army gunboat, the extreme end is where the real bunkering is taking place”, he stated.