𝗢𝗶𝗹-𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗜𝗺𝗼, 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗢𝗻𝗱𝗼, 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗮, 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀' 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗳 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘, 

𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮.

Strong endorsements have continued to emerge across the Niger Delta region in support of the renewal and expansion of the Federal Government’s pipeline surveillance contract currently handled by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), the private security firm linked to former Niger Delta agitator, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

Across Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Ondo, Imo, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Abia States, traditional rulers, host community leaders, youth organisations, ex-agitator networks, civil society groups and oil-bearing communities have openly backed the continuation of the contract, arguing that the surveillance arrangement has significantly reduced crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, sea piracy and insecurity in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

The endorsements come amid renewed agitation in some quarters calling for the decentralisation or termination of the pipeline surveillance arrangement. However, stakeholders across the region insist that the operations of Tantita Security Services have restored stability to many oil-producing communities while helping Nigeria improve crude oil production and protect critical national assets.

The pipeline surveillance contract, awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in 2022, reportedly covers strategic oil facilities and pipeline networks across Delta, Ondo, Rivers, Imo and parts of Bayelsa States. Since the commencement of operations, several groups and community leaders have repeatedly credited the surveillance structure for major improvements in regional security and economic stability.

DELTA STATE

Delta State has remained the epicentre of the strongest endorsements for the renewal and expansion of the surveillance contract.

Traditional rulers drawn from Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko, Itsekiri and Ndokwa ethnic nationalities recently gathered at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom in Effurun, where they unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Tantita Security Services and appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to renew and expand the contract across the Niger Delta region.

The enlarged stakeholders’ meeting, attended by more than 50 monarchs and regional leaders, reportedly concluded that Tantita’s operations have drastically reduced criminal activities including illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, sea piracy, kidnapping, armed robbery and youth restiveness across Delta waterways and adjoining communities.

The royal fathers specifically commended the Federal Government for sustaining community-based pipeline protection, insisting that local participation in oil facility surveillance remains one of the most effective strategies against crude oil theft in the region.

According to the monarchs, improved surveillance has also contributed to environmental recovery in several oil-producing communities previously devastated by illegal refining and pipeline destruction.

Community leaders from Warri, Uvwie, Ogulagha, riverine settlements and coastal communities reportedly noted that fishing and farming activities are gradually returning due to cleaner rivers and reduced oil pollution linked to illegal bunkering operations.

The Delta stakeholders further warned against attempts to politicise or fragment the surveillance structure, arguing that decentralisation could reopen the region to criminal oil theft syndicates and renewed insecurity.

The monarchs maintained that the current surveillance structure is already decentralised through collaborations involving different contractors and local stakeholders across ethnic nationalities.

Civil society organisations in Delta State, including the Creek to Creek Movement, have also strongly backed the continuation of the contract, describing Tantita’s operations as critical to peace, oil production and economic survival in the Niger Delta.

BAYELSA STATE

Support for the surveillance contract has equally intensified across Bayelsa State, particularly among Ijaw stakeholders, ex-agitator networks and host community leaders in oil-producing coastal areas.

Community leaders from Southern Ijaw, Brass and Ekeremor axis reportedly described the surveillance initiative as one of the major factors responsible for the reduction of illegal refining camps and attacks on oil infrastructure in Bayelsa waterways.

Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, publicly defended the surveillance contract and accused critics of attempting to drag the Niger Delta back into the era of violence, crude oil theft and instability.

Eradiri, a former President and Secretary of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, reportedly argued that local participation in pipeline security was one of the long-standing demands of Niger Delta stakeholders before the Federal Government eventually engaged Tantita Security Services.

According to him, the surveillance structure has helped stabilise the region while creating jobs for thousands of youths across the nine Niger Delta states. He further stated that the company’s operations have significantly reduced conflict and enhanced peace in several oil-producing communities.

Bayelsa youth groups and ex-agitator networks reportedly warned that dismantling the surveillance framework could create fresh security challenges capable of threatening oil production and worsening criminality across coastal communities.

Community leaders also maintained that improved protection of oil facilities has restored investor confidence among international oil companies operating in the region.

RIVERS STATE

Across Rivers State, support for the renewal of the surveillance contract has continued to grow among host community leaders, youth organisations and community surveillance coordinators.

Stakeholders from oil-producing communities reportedly argued that pipeline vandalism and crude theft activities dropped significantly following the deployment of Tantita operatives around strategic oil assets and waterways.

Community leaders from riverine communities in Rivers State maintained that the surveillance arrangement has contributed to reduced attacks on pipelines and oil installations while helping to strengthen local participation in security operations.

Several youth leaders reportedly warned against politicising pipeline surveillance, insisting that any disruption in the current security framework could threaten national revenue generation and worsen insecurity in the creeks.

Host Community Development stakeholders in Rivers also argued that the surveillance initiative has provided employment opportunities for local youths who were previously vulnerable to criminal recruitment and illegal oil activities.

Regional stakeholders stressed that maintaining coordinated surveillance across Rivers and neighbouring Niger Delta states remains critical to sustaining gains recorded in oil production and infrastructure protection.

ONDO STATE

In Ondo State, support for the surveillance contract reportedly emerged from Ilaje and Ese-Odo coastal communities, maritime stakeholders and environmental advocacy groups operating within the state’s oil-producing corridor.

Community leaders from Ondo’s Atlantic coastline reportedly praised the surveillance initiative for reducing illegal oil activities, pipeline vandalism and maritime crimes around offshore oil facilities.

Stakeholders argued that the involvement of local youths and coastal stakeholders in security operations has improved trust between communities and oil operators working in the region.

The Creek to Creek Movement specifically noted that the surveillance contract covers strategic pipeline networks in Ondo State and warned that terminating the arrangement could destabilise ongoing efforts aimed at combating oil theft and sabotage.

Community representatives from the Ilaje axis further appealed to the Federal Government to sustain and expand the surveillance arrangement to preserve stability and economic activities across Ondo’s oil-producing coastline.

IMO STATE

Imo State stakeholders have also joined the growing regional campaign supporting the renewal of Tantita’s surveillance contract.

Oil-producing community representatives from the Ohaji/Egbema axis, HOSTCOM stakeholders and youth development organisations reportedly backed the continuation of the surveillance arrangement during recent stakeholder engagements involving oil-producing communities.

A high-level retreat reportedly held in Owerri involving members of House of Representatives committees, host community trustees and regional stakeholders ended with a vote of confidence in Tantita Security Services and rejection of calls for decentralisation of the contract.

Participants reportedly warned that fragmenting pipeline surveillance structures could reopen operational spaces for organised oil theft syndicates across the Niger Delta region.

Stakeholders from Imo oil-bearing communities argued that pipeline protection operations have contributed to improved security around oil facilities and reduced illegal interference with petroleum infrastructure.

Youth groups in the state further noted that surveillance operations have created economic opportunities for many Niger Delta youths while helping to reduce restiveness in vulnerable communities.

EDO STATE

In Edo State, endorsements reportedly came from riverine community leaders, youth stakeholders and Niger Delta advocacy groups operating within Edo South Senatorial District and adjoining oil-bearing communities.

Community leaders argued that pipeline protection operations have improved regional security and strengthened economic activities linked to the petroleum sector.

Stakeholders stressed the importance of maintaining coordinated surveillance operations across adjoining Niger Delta states, warning that criminal networks involved in crude theft often operate across state boundaries.

Regional advocacy groups in Edo reportedly described Tantita’s operations as part of a broader effort to stabilise oil-producing communities and reduce economic sabotage affecting national revenue.

Several youth leaders also called for more empowerment programmes tied to the surveillance initiative, particularly targeting unemployed youths in coastal and riverine communities.

AKWA IBOM STATE

In Akwa Ibom State, support for the surveillance arrangement has reportedly emerged from coastal host communities, maritime youth organisations and oil and gas stakeholders in producing areas.

Community leaders commended the surveillance structure for involving local youths in security operations while protecting critical oil infrastructure vulnerable to sabotage and illegal bunkering.

Stakeholders warned that renewed attacks on oil pipelines and facilities could negatively affect both state and federal revenues, especially at a time Nigeria is seeking to improve crude oil production levels.

Maritime stakeholders further argued that sustaining pipeline surveillance operations would strengthen peace and economic stability in coastal communities previously affected by criminal activities linked to oil theft.

Youth organisations also called for the expansion of employment and empowerment opportunities connected to the surveillance initiative.

CROSS RIVER STATE

In Cross River State, youth development associations, community chiefs and regional stakeholders have reportedly aligned with calls for the renewal and expansion of the surveillance contract.

Community leaders from coastal areas argued that pipeline security remains essential to maintaining peace and economic stability in communities vulnerable to maritime crimes and illegal oil activities.

Stakeholders stressed that protecting petroleum infrastructure and coastal waterways is critical to sustaining investment and development within the wider Niger Delta region.

Several groups further appealed to the Federal Government to strengthen local participation in surveillance operations rather than reduce or fragment the current structure.

Regional stakeholders also argued that community-based security initiatives have proven more effective in gathering intelligence and preventing attacks on oil facilities.

ABIA STATE

In Abia State, particularly within oil-producing Ukwa communities, support for the surveillance contract reportedly came from community development associations, youth groups and oil-bearing community leaders.

Stakeholders argued that improved surveillance around oil facilities has contributed to reduced vandalism and increased operational confidence among operators within producing communities.

Community leaders also called for additional empowerment programmes linked to the surveillance initiative, particularly in areas of youth employment, skills acquisition and community development.

Youth stakeholders from Ukwa communities reportedly maintained that continued surveillance operations would help sustain peace while discouraging criminal interference with oil infrastructure.

REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS BACK RENEWAL

Beyond state-level endorsements, broader Niger Delta organisations and regional stakeholders have continued to publicly support the surveillance contract.

Among the groups openly backing the arrangement are the Association of Niger Delta Monarchs of Nigeria (ANDMON), Creek to Creek Movement and HOSTCOM stakeholders across oil-producing communities.

The groups insist that the surveillance initiative has helped increase crude oil output, reduce economic sabotage and restore relative peace in several volatile communities across the Niger Delta.

Traditional rulers and regional leaders have repeatedly argued that community-based pipeline protection remains one of the most effective strategies for combating crude oil theft in Nigeria’s oil-producing belt.

Several stakeholders also linked improved surveillance operations to the gradual recovery of Nigeria’s crude oil production levels, with some reports indicating output rising to about 1.8 million barrels per day amid improved protection of oil assets.

CALLS TO PRESIDENT TINUBU, NNPCL

Across the Niger Delta, stakeholders are now intensifying calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to renew and expand Tantita’s pipeline surveillance contract.

According to the stakeholders, the surveillance initiative has reduced pipeline vandalism, curbed illegal bunkering, Increased crude oil production, reduced sea piracy and insecurity, created employment opportunities for thousands of Niger Delta youths, improved peace in oil-producing communities, enhanced environmental protection in several host communities

Several groups further warned that dismantling or politicising the surveillance arrangement could reverse recent gains recorded in Nigeria’s oil sector and expose the Niger Delta to renewed insecurity, economic sabotage and environmental destruction.

Many stakeholders therefore insist that sustaining and strengthening community-based pipeline protection remains critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s oil infrastructure, stabilising the economy and preserving peace across the Niger Delta region.