Disregard Calls For termination of Tompolo's Pipeline Surveillance Contract, Group Urges Tinubu, NSA

"The allegations made against Tantita Security Services are baseless, malicious, and outright fabrications designed to mislead the public, deceive the Presidency, and distract the National Security Adviser from the tangible gains we have made in curbing oil theft and restoring order in the creeks." Concerned Itsekiri Stakeholders and Employees of Tantita Security Services.

A group, under the aegis of Concerned Itsekiri Stakeholders and Employees of Tantita Security Services, on Sunday urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to disregard calls for the termination of the pipeline surveillance contract of TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited.

The group which was led by Esimaje Awani Esq, on behalf of one thousand four hundred Itsekiris employed by TANTITA Security Services, urged the president and the National Security Adviser to remain on focused on facts and not propaganda against the security firm. 

"The Nigerian people and the international community should disregard the theatrics of a handful of opportunists." 

They maintained that it is only the security firm run by Ex-leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, High Chief (Dr) Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo Alias Tompolo that can secure the pipelines.

They said the Federal Government should rather, expand the scope of the contract for him saying, "TANTITA Security Services is doing a good job in the region".

The Itsekiris who marched through the Shell Contractors road in Warri chanting, "All we are saying, leave TANTITA alone" as they carried placards with inscriptions such as,"Mr. President & National Security Advise, na only TANTITA Security Services go fit protect all the pipelines. Make no mistake about it"; "Over 1,400 Itsekiri beneficiaries cannot afford to be unemployed from TAnTITA"; "We be Itsekiri and we nor send anybody go protest for Abuja" and "If una take this job from TANTITA, una get another work to give us? Wicked people".

At a press briefing shortly after the march and chantings at the Shell Contractor's road in the heart of Warri, Delta State, the Itsekiris dissociated themselves from the recent protest held in Abuja just as they rejected the claims made by one Mr  Kingsley Tenumah a k.a Afere and a few others purporting to speak on behalf of the Itsekiri nation.

"They do not represent us—not in voice, not in action, and certainly not in interest". The group stated.

"That protest, in our view, was not only misguided but a calculated act of sabotage orchestrated by individuals with self-serving interests, most of whom have failed the region in the past and are now desperate to regain relevance by attempting to undermine a proven and effective security architecture.

According to the group, "The allegations made against Tantita Security Services are baseless, malicious, and outright fabrications designed to mislead the public, deceive the Presidency, and distract the National Security Adviser from the tangible gains we have made in curbing oil theft and restoring order in the creeks.

"Let the records speak; Mr Kingsley who convened that mischievous protest in Abuja is a beneficiary of Tantita Security Service contract, infact he received his remuneration on the 19th of June 2025. His actions only buttress that his motives are malicious and full of mischief with intent to ferment trouble and unrest in our community."

The group noted that, "Tantita Security Services has employed thousands of youths across the Niger Delta, including over 1,400 Itsekiris, contributing directly to the reduction of crime, restiveness, and unemployment."

It stressed that,"The empowerment and security this initiative has brought to our people is unprecedented in modern history.

"We see in Tantita a beacon of hope, a  stabilizing force, and a model for indigenous solutions to indigenous problems.

"We must remind Nigerians that similar hostile actions and internal betrayals in the past led to the exit of numerous reputable companies from our region—Texaco, Shell, Schlumberger, AGIP, Halliburton, McDermott, United Geophysical, Tidex, Raycon, Wilbros, Lamanaco, Westminster Dredging and others—leaving behind joblessness and economic despair.

"Today, with Tantita on ground, our youths are working, not fighting; they are securing infrastructure, not vandalizing it."

While noting that there are ongoing inter-ethnic and land-related challenges across parts of the Niger Delta, the group said, "this is not new".

However, these issues should be addressed through dialogue and due process, not by undermining a security company that is lawfully operating under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and delivering results where others failed.

"It should be however noted that as Itsekiris, we do not support anyone taking an inch of lands belonging to Itsekiri and also not in support of any significant alterations that are detrimental to our existence as a people."

The group also warned that, "No one  should hide under the issue of ward delineation or land related problems to render over 1,400 Itsekiris beneficiaries jobless without alternative employment.

"We assert again; "We did not authorize any individual or group to protest on our behalf. Their actions are a betrayal of the collective progress and peace we have fought so hard to achieve."

The also pointed out that, "TANTITA Security Services remains one of Nigeria's most successful and credible responses to crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and insecurity in the Niger Delta."

A blind beneficiary of TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited, Felix Oyibo who spoke in pidgin English and Itsekiri language said; "I nor dey see. Na TANTITA dey give me food dey eat. Na them give me this employment wey I take dey eat with my family. So, I beg una, make them leave TANTITA for us. Make dem nor take this work from TANTITA hand."

Another beneficiary, Solomon Dore who also spoke in pidgin English commended TANTITA Security for doing a good job especially as it concerns the protection/security of the pipelines. "Tompolo himself nor go anywhere. He dey the river there dey secure the pipelines with the TANTITA Security Services.

"As we speak, we beneficiaries, Tinubu make sure this job nor commot from Tompolo hand because Tompolo dey do the work well."