Two prominent Niger Delta advocacy groups, the Niger Delta League of Patriots (NDLP) and the Niger Delta Progressive Youths for PBAT 2027, have advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to dismantle what they described as a functioning oil and gas security framework currently delivering measurable results in the Niger Delta.
In an advisory message addressed to the President, the groups expressed concern over circulating reports suggesting that the Federal Government may consider revoking the oil pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, warning that such a decision could undermine the progress made in combating crude oil theft and related crimes across the region.
According to the groups, the surveillance operations coordinated by Tantita Security Services have contributed significantly to stabilizing oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta, reducing pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, artisanal refining and maritime piracy that have historically plagued Nigeria’s oil producing communities.
The advisory noted that since the introduction of the surveillance framework, security around critical oil and gas infrastructure has improved, helping to protect facilities that serve as major sources of national revenue.
The groups further highlighted the strategic role played by Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, whose leadership and community connections were said to have enhanced intelligence gathering and operational efficiency within the region.
They argued that the local knowledge and community-based networks associated with the security operation have made it easier to detect and prevent sabotage compared with previous enforcement arrangements that relied heavily on external operators.
The organisations also linked the improved security environment to gradual recovery in Nigeria’s crude oil production levels, noting that strengthened surveillance around pipeline networks has helped restore lost production capacity at a time when global oil prices remain sensitive to supply disruptions.
Beyond infrastructure protection, the groups pointed to the economic and social benefits of the surveillance programme, stating that the initiative has created employment opportunities for thousands of young people across the Niger Delta, many of whom might otherwise be vulnerable to involvement in illegal refining or other criminal activities.
They also noted that the increased monitoring of creeks and coastal waters has contributed to reducing sea piracy and illegal transportation of stolen crude oil through maritime routes.
Environmental protection was identified as another benefit of the security framework. According to the groups, the clampdown on pipeline vandalism and illegal refineries has helped limit oil spills and environmental degradation that have long threatened the livelihoods of fishing and farming communities in the region.
The organisations further stated that the involvement of respected regional stakeholders in the security arrangement has strengthened trust between local communities and the Federal Government, creating a cooperative atmosphere that supports stability in the Niger Delta.
Looking ahead to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, the groups cautioned that maintaining existing peace and security structures in the region would be essential for political stability and public confidence.
They warned that terminating the surveillance arrangement could send the wrong signal to communities in the Niger Delta and potentially revive tensions that had previously affected oil production and economic activities.
The advisory therefore urged the Federal Government to sustain the contract while strengthening oversight mechanisms, improving coordination with security agencies and expanding operational capacity to further safeguard Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.
The groups concluded that preserving peace and protecting oil assets in the Niger Delta remains crucial to Nigeria’s economic stability and national development, emphasizing that the region continues to serve as a major pillar of the country’s revenue base.
They called on the Federal Government and regional stakeholders to work collaboratively to consolidate the gains recorded so far and ensure that the progress made in securing the oil and gas sector is not reversed.
