TANTITA GETS FRESH ENDORSEMENT OVER NIGER DELTA STABILITY, OIL PRODUCTION GAINS

Tantita’s operations have ensured the security of oil pipelines, the uninterrupted flow of petroleum resources, and Nigeria’s migration from constant revenue loss to stability, planning, growth and development.

The effectiveness of TSSNL’s operations and the deployment of hi-tech facilities have earned it commendations and applause from stakeholders, eliciting strong calls for operational continuity.

The battle against oil theft requires not only robust security measures. It also extends to assigning critical surveillance roles to institutions with tested expertise and commitment to taming the scourge.

That was the rationale behind the Federal Government of Nigeria’s appointment of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, TSSNL, to protect oil assets and ensure peace and stability in the Niger Delta.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, led by High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, to protect Nigeria’s oil assets in the Niger Delta region.

The appointment was to enable TSSNL, through its security operations, to support the national economy in getting the full benefits of oil resources.

TSSNL works in collaboration with other security outfits to achieve its goals of securing oil assets and ensuring peace and stability in the Niger Delta region.

Stakeholders say Tantita’s operations have transformed the oil and gas landscape and allowed Nigeria to expand its oil production quota and significantly cut rampant oil theft.

Its track record in mitigating risks associated with oil pipelines has positioned it as a reliable partner in preserving Nigeria’s economic backbone.

As stakeholders advocate for continued collaboration with TSSNL, the imperative of securing oil infrastructure remains at the forefront of efforts to ensure the nation’s sustainable development.

*What stakeholders are saying*

Forensic experts and key stakeholders have applauded the Federal Government and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for their collaborative efforts in strengthening pipeline security, which has driven higher crude oil production and boosted national revenue.

The commendation came at the end of a two-day National Dialogue on Pipeline Security in Abuja, where participants linked recent gains in oil output to coordinated surveillance.

The Forum of Forensic Civil Society Groups in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency, convened the dialogue.

Participants noted that Nigeria’s oil pipelines remain the backbone of the economy, with improved security directly enhancing revenue generation and the government’s ability to deliver on public obligations.

They attributed recent rises in production levels and the decline in pipeline vandalism to structured surveillance, warning against any disruptive changes that could reverse these gains.

“The dialogue observed that recent improvements in crude oil production levels and the relative decline in pipeline vandalism are closely tied to more coordinated and structured surveillance frameworks. These gains, participants agreed, must be preserved and strengthened rather than subjected to disruptive experimentation,” the communique signed by Dr. Opialu Fabian stated.

“The Forum expressed concern over increasing calls to fragment pipeline surveillance arrangements under the guise of inclusion, warning that such approaches risk undermining operational coherence, weakening accountability mechanisms, and creating vulnerabilities that could be exploited by criminal networks.

“Participants emphasised that pipeline protection is not a routine contractual engagement but a sensitive national security function requiring discipline, trust, intelligence coordination, and a clear chain of command. As such, it cannot be treated as an avenue for political accommodation or patronage distribution.”

Stakeholders stressed that introducing unvetted actors into surveillance operations could compromise intelligence and embolden oil theft syndicates, which have previously caused billions in lost revenue. While acknowledging the need for host community involvement, they insisted that inclusivity must come through structured engagement and capacity-building without sacrificing efficiency or security.

They also cautioned against politicising the debate, saying inflammatory narratives could heighten tensions in the Niger Delta and divert attention from core security goals.

In their resolutions, the forum called for the consolidation of current gains by sustaining effective coordinated surveillance models. They urged that any reforms be evidence-based, prioritising national interest and rigorous security assessments over pressures from interest groups, while strengthening oversight, transparency, and accountability.

Chairman of the House Committee on Host Communities, Hon. Dekor Dumnamene Robinson, said the contributions of Tantita and its leadership to national security deserve appreciation.

Lawmakers under the Joint Committee of the House of Representatives on Host Communities and Public Petitions also commended Tantita for what they described as effective and patriotic service in safeguarding Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure.

They specifically cited the recovery of crude oil production, reduction in pipeline vandalism and restoration of relative peace in oil-producing communities as major achievements recorded under the leadership of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo.

“Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, in partnership with NNPCL, has rendered demonstrably effective service in the protection of crude oil pipelines and the recovery of national crude oil production,” they stated.

The Joint Committee subsequently passed a unanimous vote of confidence on the company and called on the Federal Government and NNPCL to approve a long-term renewal of the surveillance contract to consolidate gains already achieved in the fight against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.

The National Chairman of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, His Highness Benjamin Style Tamaranebi, also commended President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in Tantita as a critical part of the security apparatus for protecting oil assets in the Niger Delta.

“Let us be clear: Destroying our oil assets is economic suicide. It’s a direct attack on the very lifeline of our communities,” he said.

*Tech-Based Surveillance*

Tantita recently contracted hi-tech security company Textron Systems to deliver three uncrewed aircraft to enhance the company’s surveillance capacity on Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.

Under the contract agreement signed late last year, Textron Systems, USA, will deliver three Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 vertical takeoff and landing, VTOL, uncrewed aircraft systems, UAS, to the surveillance company.

The systems will be delivered in a fully ITAR-Free configuration designed for ease of export to international customers. These aircraft will significantly enhance security operations for the protection of Nigeria’s vital oil and gas infrastructure.

“The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS is a mature, highly reliable, and industry-proven autonomous solution that will provide Tantita Security Services with transformational capability to execute their security operations,” said David Phillips, Senior Vice President, Air, Land and Sea Systems.