The Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide has thrown its weight behind the continued engagement of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, warning the Federal Government against yielding to pressure to decentralise the lucrative pipeline surveillance contract in the Niger Delta.
At a press conference held Friday in Warri, Delta State, the group’s spokesman, Binebai Princewill, said attempts to fragment the contract were “orchestrated distractions” capable of reversing gains recorded in curbing crude oil theft.
The council specifically urged the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “remain steadfast” and resist what it described as coordinated campaigns by unnamed actors seeking to undermine existing security arrangements in the oil-rich region.
According to the IYC, criticisms directed at Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and his firm do not reflect the position of the Niger Delta people.
“Any individual or group criticising Tompolo and Tantita… is acting on their own accord. Such actions neither reflect the collective will nor carry the mandate of the Ijaw people,” the group said.
The council argued that calls for decentralisation were neither patriotic nor rooted in national interest, describing them instead as calculated attempts to derail progress and reintroduce instability into pipeline security operations.
It maintained that prior to Tantita’s engagement, Nigeria faced severe economic losses driven by rampant crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal refining activities, which significantly impacted national revenue.
However, the group claimed that since the contract was awarded to Tantita, there has been a “remarkable turnaround,” citing improved oil production levels, reduced theft, and renewed investor confidence in oil and gas infrastructure.
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The IYC further highlighted what it described as the company’s “inclusive operational model,” noting that thousands of youths across the Niger Delta had been employed directly and indirectly, contributing to reduced restiveness in the region.
It dismissed agitation for broader inclusion as unnecessary, insisting that Tantita already integrates stakeholders from multiple communities and states under its structure.
The group also warned that any abrupt alteration of the current framework could trigger avoidable setbacks, stressing that Tantita’s grassroots intelligence network and operational capacity remain unmatched.
Beyond security, the council credited the firm with contributing to environmental recovery through reduced oil spills and fostering economic empowerment in host communities.
Passing a vote of confidence on the company, the IYC called on the Federal Government to not only sustain but consider institutionalising the contract on a long-term basis.
“Tantita has proven to be tested, trusted, and result-driven. We urge the Federal Government to protect the integrity of the current arrangement and resist any pressure that may jeopardise the progress recorded so far,” the statement added.
