A Niger Delta civil society organisation has written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeking urgent intervention over what it described as the exclusion of the Isoko ethnic nationality from oil pipeline surveillance jobs in the region.
The group, Niger Delta Advocate for Good Governance, Anti-Corruption and Transparency, said the alleged marginalisation of the Isoko people in the multi-billion naira pipeline protection arrangement could heighten tension in the oil-rich region if not addressed quickly.
In a letter made available to journalists after an emergency stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, the group acknowledged the contributions of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in combating pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft across the Niger Delta. The security firm is owned by former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo.
However, the organisation said rising complaints of exclusion by the Isoko, Itsekiri and other ethnic groups from the oil pipeline surveillance structure were creating tension in parts of the region.
In a statement signed by its coordinator, Engr. Captain Momoh Ebiowei Erickson, the group explained that its appeal to the President was not intended to attack any individual or organisation but to draw attention to what it described as the marginalisation of critical stakeholders from Isoko land.
According to the group, the letter seeks clarity, fairness and urgent presidential engagement on the controversy surrounding the Isoko segment of the pipeline surveillance arrangement under Tantita Security Services.
The organisation stated that since the engagement of Tantita in 2022, the initiative was designed to curb oil theft, pipeline vandalism and economic sabotage while improving Nigeria’s crude oil output. It expressed concern that local stakeholders from Isoko land had little or no participation in the surveillance structure operating within their communities.
The group noted that many local leaders have continued to demand that surveillance activities in Isoko areas should involve indigenous residents and community stakeholders.
It recalled that the surveillance contracts were introduced under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, following collaboration between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the then Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, alongside the former NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari.
According to the group, the programme was designed to expand surveillance across several ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta through private contractors to tackle crude oil theft and raise production levels from below one million barrels per day to about two million barrels daily.
The Western and Central surveillance corridors were awarded to companies linked to Tompolo and to Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, owned by Mathew Tonlagha, through Tantita Security Services.
While the initiative initially received strong support from communities across the Niger Delta, the organisation claimed that the expected gains in crude oil production had not fully materialised.
It cited reports from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries indicating that Nigeria has struggled to consistently meet its crude oil production target of about 1.5 million barrels per day.
The group further alleged that stakeholders led by Mr. Karo Edor had previously pursued inclusion in the surveillance framework covering Isoko land through engagements with NNPC officials and petitions to the National Assembly.
According to the organisation, meetings involving senior industry figures were reportedly held in Abuja, including discussions with officials linked to Tantita operations and representatives of NNPC management.
It said stakeholders had expected that Edor and his team would coordinate the surveillance activities across Isoko territory. However, the group claimed that the final implementation placed other individuals in charge of the Isoko surveillance segment.
The organisation warned that the perception of exclusion could provoke agitation in parts of the Niger Delta if the issue is not addressed through transparent dialogue.
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It also pointed to similar concerns raised in other communities across the region, including areas in Itsekiri, Kalabari, Okrika and parts of Bayelsa and Ondo states.
The group urged President Tinubu to convene a presidential roundtable involving traditional rulers, host community leaders, federal agencies and representatives of Tantita Security Services to review the surveillance framework.
It further called for a transparent assessment of the current structure to ensure compliance with the host community provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.
According to the organisation, inclusive participation by host communities strengthens oil infrastructure protection and helps maintain stability in the Niger Delta.
The group stressed that early intervention by the presidency would help prevent unrest, protect oil production targets and reinforce the government’s commitment to fairness and justice in the management of national resources.
