Six decommissioned Norwegian warships sold to former rebel leader and current politician Government Ekpemupolo

By Tommy Hansen

COPENHAGEN

Government Ekpemupolo, once an illegal rebel leader in the Niger Delta, is now a prominent Nigerian businessman who owns a total of seven decommissioned Norwegian battleships.

Ekpemupolo holds six Norwegian fast-speed Hauk-class guided missile boats, now re-armed with new weaponry, according to reports in the Norwegian newspaper "Dagbladet." His most recent purchase is that of the KNM Horten, a fast-attack craft now allegedly engaged in piracy in the seas off Nigeria.

And Ekpemupolo has a history of violence. Now one of the wealthiest men in Nigeria, he became rich by illegally bunkering oil from nationally owned pipelines in the Niger Delta, and by leading a rebellious faction there.

How was such a man allowed to acquire warships from Norway?

The export of arms from Norway requires an export license from that country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ships were first sold to CAS Global, a British security company that has such a license. Ekpemupolo bought the ships from the British company.

Government Ekpemupolo now controls the Global West Vessel Service, a privately owned contractor for maritime security for the Nigerian Maritime Safety Agency.

The seven Norwegian ships are now part of the company's maritime fleet, allegedly acting as pirates while patrolling for the Nigerian government, the newspaper reports.

From rebel to government contractor

In May 2009, the commander of the Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta, declared Government Ekpemupolo “the most wanted man in Nigeria.” In the Delta region, he made his own law with his own army.

In 2009, he surrendered to the Nigerian government and shook hands with then president Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, receiving full amnesty for himself and his around 1.500 men.

 Today he is an important business partner with the very government that, only five years ago, considered him a criminal.

But he is reportedly still responsible for violence. As late as in November this year he was widely reported as masterminding the abduction and beating of 14 journalists in the Niger delta. 

Norway defends weapons sale

The head of communications at the Norwegian State Department Frode O. Andersen defended the arms sale. He told the “Dagbladet” on Friday: “As far as we can see, the export of KNM Horten has followed correct procedure and terms of export to Great Britain. The re-export from Great Britain to Nigeria is a question to be handled solely by British export control authorities.”

Lloyds List records show that the ship, which was sold to the U.K. company in 2012, was recorded as working for a fishery.

http://www.aa.com.tr/en/rss/434691--norway-sells-arms-to-millionaire-nigerian-warlord

2015 is all or nothing.....getting prepared.....

Yet someone thinks the government has no hand in what is happening up north. This government poses an existential threat to Nigeria!! It stands for EVERYTHING the constitution stands against!!

All these will be added to the Nigerian Naval fleet by June 2015. Let them arm and rearm God will not allow Nigeria go through another civil war.

If they feel because we have a corrupt and useless leadership, the Army will continue to be this tactless and directionless in the face of insurgency then they are on a long thing.

Thank God for GMB.

Why is this topic not deserving of the front page since yesterday?

Seun ishilove obinoscopy maclatunji Nigerians need to know those stoking the embers of war.

Holy Moses
I wonder if the Nigerian Military would sit down and watch herself politicized into Extinction! Look at what is happening in Yemen!

Una can carry fake news, Google about the vessel you are saying it's a war boat

And the same man kidnapped 14 journalists openly and nothing happened. 2015 we shall reclaim Nigeria from thieves and murderers.

.....

Let the arms build up begin, I told APC that they don't have monopoly for violence, since they can use their arm wing BH to make GEJ govt uncomfortable they should also say bye bye to oil money from Niger delta if they form a Parallel government.

donmalcolm21:
Let the arms build up begin, I told APC that they don't have monopoly for violence, since they can use their arm wing BH to make GEJ govt uncomfortable they should also say bye bye to oil money from Niger delta if they form a Parallel government.

I agree with your sentiments entirely, those who make peaceful change impossible makes violent change inevitable. They need to change, there's no going back to born-to-rule ideology.
As long as Northern oligarchs continues to fund Bokoharam to destabilize the nation, other regions have every right to prepare for eventuality.
Lets see where they would find the money to continue their born to rule ideology when Tompolo stops the oil flow.
This ideology has been left unchecked since 1960.

Am with Tompolo on this one, the earlier other regions prepare for the inevitable the better, the north don't have monopoly on violence.

why are you people panicking. Boats are needed for homeland security.

I do wonder if this country is not a mirage @ times?

Hahahaha
Its one thing to want to doslodge GEJ but it's another thing to face the consequences. No group has monopoly of violence and the precedence has been set.

It will be stupidity to persecute GEJ out of office just because he's from a minority and expect an interrupted flow of crude...... its impossible.

We can argue all we want but GEJ is the last president of a United Nigeria. Remember these creeks boys dont need to attack anyone, they will just attack the facility on their backyard and not sure you will be the one courageous enough to go fix it.

To every action, there is a reaction. Nigeria is sitting pn a time bomb. He that hath ear, let him hear.

Picture OR..

Niger Deltans: The oil that is found on our soil is our birthright and property, we must own, control and exploit it for our prosperity and development. We shall deal decisively with trespassers and their descendants until greed is drench of them.

Gej till 2019 the trespassers are too greedy to think otherwise.
But why do some always think there shouldn't be a Gej yet they crave for the oil money. What a shame. Sorry you can't have it both if it's not Gej. It's one or the other.

Whether GEJ likes it or not he will leave in in 2015 and nothing will happen ..

wtf. don't we have a government

Omg! I am loving this...cant wait to be part of the Nigerdelta freedom soldiers. We will not kill any Nigerian like the heartless Haramites,but that revenue from oil and gas must stop!

tinkinjow:
Niger Deltans: The oil that is found on our soil is our birthright and property, we must own, control and exploit it for our prosperity and development. We shall deal decisively with trespassers and their descendants until greed is drench of them.

Gej till 2019 the trespassers are too greedy to think otherwise.
But why do some always think there shouldn't be a Gej yet they crave for the oil money. What a shame. Sorry you can't have it both if it's not Gej. It's one or the other.

yes d niger deltans must enjoy their oilwealth,but under gej,d militants have become billionaires,no hospitals across d creeks,d poor farmers are penningless,majority of d nigerdeltans are leaving in squalor,u need 2 see tompolo's house in banana island.Dont be surprise if buhari gets elected and strips dis tompolo off his wealth,then use d money 2 build schools,hospitals 4 d general good of d niger delta people.#say no 2 corruption.

I cant believe people posters before me are human beings

[size=18pt]KNM Horten.[/size]

chrisbaba1:
[size=18pt]KNM Horten.[/size]

this one no be ship, na vessel

We Nigerians are failing to learn from history. Very unfortunate!

Those blowing the embers of disunity should cast a glance at history.

Iroh88:
Yet someone thinks the government has no hand in what is happening up north. This government poses an existential threat to Nigeria!! It stands for EVERYTHING the constitution stands against!!

Does ship sail on desert north?.

BTW,how can Jonathan distabilize his own government,and at same time,waste billions of dollars fighting insecurity up north?.
Do you reason at all?.
Christains ain't terrorists,its muslims,and if you think Jonathan is able to brainwash northern muslims to kill themselves and their brothers,and ravage their lands,then you and northerners are dafts.

idupaul:
Whether GEJ likes it or not he will leave in in 2015 and nothing will happen ..

Be ready to face the dare consequencies.
Buhari will ONLY rule a divided Nigeria.

2015 if at all election will hold,it's do or die affair.

North and their southwest stooge,should be ready for everything!.

We cannever go back to Buhari tyranny.

I can only laugh.


We shall understand it better ...

Nothing dey happen

Not surprised, from the name, one would know he is from the other side of the country. Lies and hate have been spreading amongst them that Niger delta is behind BH and we are getting ready for war and all what nots.
The wicked runneth when no man pursueth.

ishiamu:
2015 is all or nothing.....getting prepared.....

what is all or nothing?
Born to rule!
If Gej is removed, forget it!

Iroh88:
Yet someone thinks the government has no hand in what is happening up north. This government poses an existential threat to Nigeria!! It stands for EVERYTHING the constitution stands against!!

Trash

No wonder we see massive failure in WAEC

So GEJ sponsored maitiatsine in the 1980s


So GEJ is the one killing those Christians up North whose votes helped him got power



Is as if the malaria drug you are taking has expired