July 12, 2025
ABUJA — The Niger Delta Grassroot Movement (NDGM), a leading socio-political advocacy group, has called on the federal government to urgently review—or potentially cancel—the controversial pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Speaking exclusively to Abuja Network News, Engr. Felix Akpoyibo, National Coordinator of the NDGM, raised serious concerns over the legality, transparency, and socio-political consequences of the contract, which he believes undermines equity and good governance in the Niger Delta. He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redirect payments directly to host communities, traditional leaders, and key stakeholders—without passing through private intermediaries like Tantita.
Contract Award Faces Legal Scrutiny
The N48 billion annual contract, awarded in August 2022 to TSSNL—a firm owned by ex-militant leader High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo)—has generated intense backlash across the oil-producing communities. Akpoyibo accused the NNPCL of bypassing due process and breaching several federal laws, including the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010 and the Public Procurement Act (PPA) of 2007.
“Section 15 of the NOGICD Act mandates open and competitive bidding. There is no public record that Tantita’s contract followed this process,” Akpoyibo noted. He referenced a pending lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1021/2024), filed by the AGIP Indigenous Contractors Association, which alleges that NNPCL sidelined qualified local firms in favor of Tantita.
The NDGM further alleged conflicts of interest, citing the lawsuit’s claims that some NNPCL staff may have personal or financial ties to Tantita—raising transparency concerns and potential ethical violations under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021. Akpoyibo emphasized that the current structure favors one ethnic group—the Ijaw—while marginalizing other key contributors like the Urhobo and Isoko communities.
Community Exclusion and Rising Tensions
NDGM’s call comes amid rising discontent in Niger Delta communities who feel excluded from the benefits of the contract. Akpoyibo faulted the government’s decision to route disbursements through Tantita, saying it creates dependency and breeds inequality.
“The federal government should disburse funds directly to local leaders and stakeholders. Bypassing the people in favor of a private contractor like Tantita is unjust and lacks transparency,” he said.
Organizations such as the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) and the Isoko Renaissance Movement (IRM) have expressed similar frustrations. During a July 2025 protest in Abuja, IRM members highlighted the exclusion of Isoko communities—despite their contributing 28% of Nigeria’s oil output—from major contract benefits.
Additionally, there are growing reports of abuses linked to Tantita’s field operations. In November 2024, Tompolo alleged that the Navy attacked his operatives in Port Harcourt. However, residents countered that Tantita’s anti-theft operations have often involved intimidation of innocent locals. “Entrusting such sensitive security tasks to an unregulated private company risks human rights abuses,” Akpoyibo warned.
Political Risks and Democratic Integrity
Akpoyibo further warned that the controversy surrounding the Tantita contract could have political ramifications for President Tinubu’s administration, especially in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
“Rewarding a known ally of former President Goodluck Jonathan while neglecting the Urhobo and Isoko people is politically unwise. It may alienate vital voting blocs,” he said. “Such favoritism undermines the anti-corruption posture of this government and could destabilize the fragile peace in the Niger Delta.”
He urged President Tinubu to take swift action by launching a full-scale probe into the award process and by promoting direct engagement with affected communities.
Risks of Empowering Ex-Militant Groups
NDGM also raised broader security concerns over empowering a former militant leader with significant funds and operational autonomy. Akpoyibo drew parallels with international and local precedents where similar arrangements led to long-term instability:
Colombia: The United Self-Defense Forces (AUC), originally hired to protect pipelines, morphed into a powerful criminal enterprise.
Libya: Post-Gaddafi militias, contracted for oil security, soon challenged the central government’s authority.
Nigeria: The Bakassi Boys, initially backed by state governments for crime-fighting, eventually engaged in extrajudicial killings.
“Tantita’s unchecked access to billions in public funds could allow it to build political influence, arm loyalists, and become a parallel power structure,” Akpoyibo cautioned.
Allegations of Rights Violations and Collusion
NDGM cited recurring rights violations during Tantita’s anti-theft operations, as reported by local communities. There is also a history of friction with the Navy. In December 2023, the Nigerian Navy accused Tantita of collusion with oil thieves—though these claims remain unverified.
Akpoyibo said these events underscore the danger of allowing private actors to operate security functions without public oversight. “There are no clear channels for citizens to seek redress when they’re abused by Tantita operatives. This violates the principles of democratic accountability and the rule of law,” he said.
Expert Opinions and Broader Support
Experts and community leaders are joining NDGM’s call for reform. Dr. Chijioke Amadi, an oil policy analyst, warned that failure to follow due process could create monopolies in the oil security space. “NNPCL must release bidding records and justify its preference for Tantita,” he told Abuja Network News.
Chief Okoro Ede of the Isoko community lamented the exclusion of local youths. “We contribute resources to this country, but all we get are crumbs. Our young men are given token jobs as guards, while Tantita controls billions,” he said.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in a July 2025 statement, called for a thorough review of the contract, urging the federal government to probe alleged procurement breaches and the Navy’s collusion claims.
Recommendations and Next Steps
NDGM demanded the immediate suspension of the Tantita contract and the initiation of an independent audit into its award process. Akpoyibo proposed either canceling the contract or restructuring it to reflect fair ethnic and regional representation.
Most importantly, he called for the federal government to adopt a direct payment model that eliminates intermediaries. “Direct funding to communities fosters trust, boosts transparency, and empowers locals to take ownership of their security and development,” he said.
He also recommended stronger regulatory oversight of private security firms involved in national infrastructure.
Conclusion
The Niger Delta Grassroot Movement’s call for a review of the Tantita Security Services contract has brought to the fore serious questions about legality, transparency, and equity in Nigeria’s oil sector. With widespread support from experts, legal groups, and affected communities, the matter is now a litmus test for President Tinubu’s commitment to justice and reform.
As tensions rise in the Niger Delta, the federal government must act swiftly to restore public trust, uphold the rule of law, and ensure equitable treatment of all oil-producing communities.
Tags
News