In a web of deceit and corruption, the clandestine activities of powerful cabals in Nigeria, including ex-NNPCL chief Mele Kyari and notorious Niger Delta kingpin Tompolo, threaten to bury the nation’s oil wealth under a cloak of secrecy. As their plot to maintain control of stolen resources unfolds, the country stands on the edge of a reckoning.

Mele Kyari's recent dismissal sent shockwaves through the corridors of power, igniting fears among those linked to Nigeria’s illegal oil bunkering operations. For years, these cabals have enjoyed a lucrative arrangement, dating back to previous administrations, that allowed them to siphon off Nigeria's crucial oil reserves. Mele Kyari, a key figure in this underworld, was allegedly installed to safeguard these lucrative interests when he was appointed to lead the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

As Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration took charge, immediate efforts were made to cement the bonds of this corrupt partnership by surrounding themselves with individuals loyal to the president. This calculated move was intended to perpetuate the ongoing theft of Nigeria's oil. Yet, the abrupt removal of Kyari left the cabal rattled, uncertain of their next steps.

Under Kyari's watch, Tompolo was strategically brought in for pipeline security contracts after the untimely death of Captain Osas. Financial records indicate that these arrangements were padded with over $1 billion in inflated costs—a scheme enabling Kyari and his cohorts to pocket vast sums while Tompolo received only a fraction of the spoils.

Tompolo’s involvement has been grimly significant; he emerged as a local enforcer, employing intimidation tactics against innocent Nigerians while branding them as criminals. Far from safeguarding the nation’s resources, he has used his influence to perpetuate the very crimes he claims to combat, all while operating with the blessing of powerful elites in the oil sector.

Rather ironically, the recent discoveries of illegal bunkering sites by the Nigerian Navy—locations that lay right under Tompolo's vigilant eye— raise critical questions. How could Tantita Security, under Tompolo's purported oversight, be oblivious to such rampant illegal activities? The troubling answer suggests complicity rather than incompetence.

What aggravates this situation is that, while illegal bunkering certainly occurs, losses attributed to the Niger Delta creeks amount to less than 2 percent. The true culprits behind Nigeria's staggering oil production deficits are the operatives within NNPCL, overseen by Mele Kyari, who have infiltrated nearly every level of government and security forces to maintain their influence.

After Kyari's ousting, tensions flared among the cabals. Mele’s abrupt ejection was a stinging surprise, leaving them scrambling and vowing to keep Nigeria’s oil production stunted to protect their secrets. They have set mechanisms in place to ensure that the new Managing Director, Engr. Bayo, remains oblivious to their machinations, thus undermining any potential efforts to revitalize Nigeria’s oil output.

The cabal’s current strategy involves maneuvering Tompolo into securing contracts for deep-sea oil installations, ensuring that their secrets remain shielded from public scrutiny. It becomes increasingly evident that any bid to reinstate Tompolo in a position of authority is a direct threat to President Tinubu's administration and Nigeria’s future.

The timing couldn't be more crucial. President Tinubu has a critical choice ahead: to distance his leadership from the corrupt dealings of Kyari, Tompolo, and their cartel or to risk entrenching the malfeasance that has cost the nation dearly. It is imperative for the administration to appoint capable individuals committed to transparency and accountability to revitalize Nigeria’s oil production.

Moreover, it is high time for Tompolo to face the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding allegations of abuse of power, misuse of naira notes, and human rights violations against Nigerian citizens. Only through decisive action can Nigeria hope to reclaim its stolen wealth and restore the integrity of its oil industry. The time for change is now—before the shadows of betrayal consume Nigeria's oil destiny entirely.