The man “government tompolo,” who he is and what he represent

Conor is a staff writer for Newsweek covering Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, security and conflict. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Nigerian military confirmed over the weekend that militants had conducted multiple attacks on oil installations in the southern Niger Delta region over the previous few days.

The man “government tompolo,” who he is and what he represent: Governor Masari Serving Himself

The coinciding of the arrest warrant for Tompolo—a prominent figurehead in the Niger Delta militancy that besieged the oil-producing country in the mids—and the resumption of attacks in the region is a worrying sign for Nigeria. Newsweek profiles Tompolo and looks at what the latest developments mean for stability in the Niger Delta region.

Just under a decade ago, Tompolo was considered one of Nigeria's most wanted men. He was a prominent figure with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta MEND , a coalition of armed rebel groups that kidnapped oil workers and attacked installations between and The creeks of the Niger Delta were occupied by rebels with machine-gun equipped speedboats and were dangerous for law enforcement and oil workers alike.

At the height of the militancy, rebels reduced Nigeria's oil production by a quarter. According to Nnamdi Obasi, Nigeria researcher for the International Crisis Group ICG , Tompolo's acceptance of a presidential amnesty program offered by the Nigerian government in was "highly significant, some would say decisive, in ending the violence at the time," and that the former militant still commands a strong following in the Niger Delta region.

Tompolo is facing 14 counts of money laundering and theft spanning between and