By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
A prominent coalition of Middle Belt youth leaders and stakeholders has issued a fervent appeal to the Federal Government, urging it to resist pressures to terminate the critical pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a firm owned by Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, the group cautioned that dissolving the current security arrangement without establishing a credible and equally effective alternative could jeopardise the relative peace and stability currently being enjoyed in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. Such a move, they warned, would likely expose the nation’s vital economic infrastructure to renewed and devastating attacks.
The statement, jointly signed by the coalition’s Chairman and National Coordinator, Comrade Bagudu Joseph, and its Secretary, Comrade Bishop Douglas Kanatapwa, highlighted the tangible improvements in national oil production and the marked decrease in pipeline vandalism since the inception of the surveillance contract.
A Turnaround for National Revenue
The coalition underscored the historical context of the nation’s oil sector, which for many years was plagued by persistent insecurity. This included rampant pipeline vandalism, the proliferation of illegal refineries, and large-scale crude oil theft, which collectively inflicted severe damage on the nation’s economy.
“These nefarious activities severely affected national revenue, disrupted oil production schedules, and significantly damaged Nigeria’s reputation as a dependable energy supplier on the global stage,” the statement read.
According to the group, the Federal Government’s strategic decision to engage local stakeholders—individuals intimately familiar with the challenging terrain, intricate creeks, and complex socio-economic dynamics of the Niger Delta—has proven to be a masterstroke in addressing long-standing security vulnerabilities surrounding the nation’s oil assets.
The coalition pointed to verifiable data, noting that since the implementation of this community-driven surveillance framework, national oil production has witnessed a gradual but steady recovery. Concurrently, the frequency of pipeline vandalism and illegal oil tapping activities has reportedly declined substantially, marking a significant victory for the nation’s economic interests.
Beyond Security: An Economic Lifeline for Youths
The group also shed light on the profound socio-economic impact of the surveillance programme, which extends far beyond mere security. They emphasised that the initiative has resulted in the direct and indirect engagement of thousands of youths from the region, who are now actively involved in protecting oil facilities rather than participating in their destruction.
“For a vast number of young people in the Niger Delta, this initiative represents a viable pathway away from the vicious cycles of unemployment, economic hardship, and consequent involvement in criminal activities,” the coalition asserted. This integration, they argue, has been fundamental to restoring peace and order.
The Peril of a Policy Reversal
The coalition issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of abruptly dismantling this existing, and apparently effective, surveillance structure. They argued that creating a sudden security vacuum would inevitably encourage the resurgence of large-scale oil theft, illegal bunkering, and pipeline sabotage.
Such a regression, the statement continued, would have catastrophic ripple effects across the entire economy. It would negatively impact Nigeria’s oil production capacity, severely weaken the confidence of international investors, and disrupt the operations of international energy companies who are critical partners in the sector.
“The threat extends beyond our shores,” the statement added. “Maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea could escalate dramatically, while kidnapping for ransom and other violent crimes that once made the region a byword for instability could re-emerge with a vengeance.”
A Strategic Asset, Not Just a Contract
The Middle Belt leaders argued that the Tompolo-led surveillance arrangement has evolved into something far more significant than a conventional security contract. It has become, in their view, a strategic national asset and a critical mechanism for safeguarding Nigeria’s primary economic lifeline. It is an integrated system that blends local knowledge with formal security objectives to maintain stability in a historically volatile region.
Rather than termination, the coalition called on the Federal Government to focus on strengthening the programme. They advocated for enhanced oversight mechanisms, greater transparency in operations, and improved coordination with official security agencies to ensure the model’s continued success and accountability.
A Direct Appeal to President Tinubu
In a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the coalition urged him to disregard calls for the contract’s cancellation. They alleged that the campaigns against the surveillance programme are likely being driven by vested interests—individuals and cartels whose lucrative illegal bunkering operations have been severely disrupted by the crackdown.
“Given the noticeable reduction in oil bunkering, the demonstrable increase in oil production, and the significant decline in criminal activities across the region, we hold the firm belief that the current surveillance system is an asset that must be sustained,” the coalition stated emphatically.
Concluding their address, the group stressed that the protection of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure is not merely an economic issue, but a matter of profound national security. They urged the Federal Government to maintain a policy that has evidently begun to yield positive results for the nation’s treasury and the stability of the Niger Delta.
