A coalition of Itsekiri coordinators under Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has strongly condemned calls by certain groups seeking the revocation of the company’s pipeline surveillance contract, describing the agitators as self-serving actors who do not represent the interests of the Niger Delta people.
In a press briefing issued on Tuesday, the coordinators rejected claims by individuals “parading themselves as leaders” of the region, insisting that such figures lack both the mandate and credibility to speak for local communities.
They alleged that the agitation is driven by personal gain and could destabilize the relative peace achieved in the oil-rich region.
The statement was addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to whom the group expressed appreciation for extending the surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
According to the coordinators, the decision reflects the administration’s commitment to safeguarding critical oil and gas infrastructure while maintaining operational continuity.
They also praised Government Ekpemupolo, the firm’s leader, describing him as a capable and reliable figure whose leadership has significantly reduced oil theft and improved security across the Niger Delta waterways.
The coordinators emphasized that Tantita’s operational model already incorporates inclusivity, noting that representatives from various ethnic groups and host communities are actively involved as coordinators and contractors.
This structure, they said, ensures grassroots participation, accountability, and fair representation.
Highlighting the company’s impact, the group credited Tantita with curbing pipeline vandalism, eliminating incidents of kidnapping on waterways, and contributing to environmental restoration efforts in the region.
They argued that these achievements have restored confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The statement further warned against attempts to decentralize or cancel the contract, asserting that such moves could undermine the stability currently enjoyed in the Niger Delta.
The coordinators alleged that many of those advocating for the contract’s termination were previously involved in illegal bunkering and pipeline sabotage, and are now seeking opportunities to resume such activities.
“The pipeline surveillance contract is not a regional entitlement but a national responsibility entrusted to a competent organization,” the statement read, stressing that Tantita has earned its position through “performance, discipline, and results.”
The coordinators concluded by urging critics to pursue legitimate economic opportunities rather than disrupt an arrangement they say is delivering measurable benefits.
They reaffirmed their support for Tantita and pledged continued commitment to protecting Nigeria’s oil assets and sustaining peace in the region.
The statement was jointly signed by multiple coordinators representing clusters and operational units across Itsekiri communities in the Niger Delta.
