A prominent legal practitioner and security expert, Blessing Agbomhere, has issued a compelling call for the Federal Government to maintain the vital petroleum pipeline surveillance contract, currently managed by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, commonly known as Tompolo, in the Niger Delta region. Describing this initiative as a “strategic national instrument,” Agbomhere asserts that it is critical for Nigeria’s economic stability and security framework.
In an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the leadership of the National Assembly, and other key government officials, Agbomhere emphasised the significant impact of the surveillance framework, which operates through Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and other local firms. He noted that this initiative has been instrumental in reducing crude oil theft and restoring production levels in the Niger Delta.
The Nigerian petroleum sector has faced an “unprecedented crisis” in recent years, according to Agbomhere, who serves as the South-South Zonal Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The rampant crude oil theft and extensive pipeline vandalism have severely undermined national revenue, resulting in daily oil production falling below the nation’s OPEC quota. This decline has led to billions of dollars lost, diminished investor confidence, and escalating fiscal pressures.
“The consequences are catastrophic,” Agbomhere stated, highlighting the challenges faced by conventional security measures in effectively combating the pervasive criminal networks operating in the creeks and offshore installations of the Niger Delta.
Agbomhere credited the implementation of a community-based surveillance model, rooted in local knowledge and grassroots intelligence, as a pivotal shift in tackling this crisis. Under Tompolo’s coordination via Tantita Security Services, the framework has reportedly facilitated the identification and dismantling of illegal tapping points, destruction of clandestine refining camps, interception of illicit crude transport routes, and improved stability across major trunk lines.
Since the activation of this surveillance regime, Agbomhere noted a measurable increase in oil production, resulting in enhanced inflows into the Federation Account and contributing to macroeconomic stability. “This is not conjecture; it is an empirical reality,” he asserted, referencing a resurgence in investor engagement and improved fiscal predictability.
Beyond the economic recovery, Agbomhere highlighted the broader security implications of the contract. He pointed out that the history of militancy and agitation in the Niger Delta has often been linked to economic exclusion and tensions over oil resources. By incorporating local actors into a structured and lawful security framework, the surveillance initiative has not only reduced incentives for sabotage but also fostered youth engagement in legitimate economic activities and strengthened intelligence collaboration between communities and federal authorities. “The surveillance contract has functioned not merely as a protective shield for pipelines but as a stabilising mechanism for regional peace,” he stated.
In light of recent calls for the cancellation of the contract, Agbomhere urged that such proposals be carefully scrutinised. He posited that some opposition may arise from interests adversely affected by the intensified anti-theft operations. The expert warned against dismantling what he regards as a “functioning security architecture” without substantial evidence of non-performance or legal impropriety. Abrupt termination could create an intelligence vacuum, potentially allowing bunkering syndicates to resurface and jeopardising national revenue at a critical economic juncture.
While acknowledging the necessity for transparency and accountability, Agbomhere underscored that legislative oversight and performance audits are essential in a democratic system. “No public contract is beyond scrutiny,” he stated, “but reform must not degenerate into regression.”
Agbomhere has called upon President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, and members of the National Assembly to prioritise empirical evidence, protect national revenue, and maintain peace in the South-South region. He characterised the surveillance arrangement as “not a mere procurement contract, but a strategic safeguard for Nigeria’s economic lifeline,” urging policymakers to consolidate existing gains rather than risk a return to instability.
In summary, the ongoing surveillance contract in the Niger Delta represents a crucial element in Nigeria’s battle against economic decline and insecurity. As the nation grapples with the complexities of oil theft and pipeline vandalism, the insights of experts like Agbomhere highlight the importance of community involvement, local knowledge, and strategic oversight in maintaining stability in one of Nigeria’s most vital economic regions. The Federal Government faces a pivotal decision: to uphold a system that has proven effective or to risk a regression into chaos and economic turmoil.
