Nigeria’s former militant leader, Mr. Government Ekpemupolo,
alias Tompolo, has acquired seven decommissioned Norwegian warships.
alias Tompolo, has acquired seven decommissioned Norwegian warships.
Reports by a Norwegian newspaper, Dagbladet, said that the
fast-speed Hauk-class guided missile boats had been re-armed with new weaponry.
fast-speed Hauk-class guided missile boats had been re-armed with new weaponry.
The report also revealed that Ekpemupolo’s most recent purchase
is a KNM Horten, a fast-attack craft now used in fighting piracy in Nigeria’s
waterways.
is a KNM Horten, a fast-attack craft now used in fighting piracy in Nigeria’s
waterways.
It was learnt that in spite of his alleged history of violence,
Tompolo, now controls the Global West Vessel Service, a privately owned
contractor for maritime security for the Nigerian Maritime Safety Agency.
Tompolo, now controls the Global West Vessel Service, a privately owned
contractor for maritime security for the Nigerian Maritime Safety Agency.
Buying arms from Norway requires an export license from
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ships were reportedly sold first to
CAS Global, a British security company that has such a license, after which
Ekpemupolo reportedly bought the ships from the British company.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ships were reportedly sold first to
CAS Global, a British security company that has such a license, after which
Ekpemupolo reportedly bought the ships from the British company.
Dagblade reported that the seven Norwegian ships are now part of
the company’s maritime fleet patrolling under a contract for the Federal
Government.
the company’s maritime fleet patrolling under a contract for the Federal
Government.
Source: Punch
