₦airaland Forum

*N'Delta Group Writes Tinubu, Insists On Termination of Tompolo’s Pipeline Surveillance Contract, Calls for Decentralisation*

The Niger Delta Centre for Justice and Accountability (NDCJA) has written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, demanding for the immediate termination of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), owned by former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

In the open letter, the organisation described the arrangement as "structurally defective," patronage-driven, and detrimental to Nigeria's national security, fiscal responsibility, and the welfare of citizens.

Signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Efe Justice, the group urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reject any renewal, extension, or variation of the contract.

The NDCJA advocated for a complete decentralisation of pipeline surveillance across the Niger Delta.

It proposed empowering credible indigenous contractors from each oil-producing state through transparent, competitive, and open bidding processes.

This approach, the group argued, would leverage local intelligence and community knowledge, foster genuine competition, reduce ethnic and regional tensions, distribute economic benefits more equitably, and build a more resilient and inclusive security framework.

The letter highlighted persistent challenges under the current model, noting that oil theft, illegal bunkering, and pipeline vandalism continue to cause massive economic losses.

It cited credible estimates placing annual losses as high as $15 billion or more, equivalent to hundreds of thousands of barrels per day at current global prices.

Part of the letter read: "Recent operations have uncovered illegal bunkering networks expanding into urban peripheries, riverine areas, and regions like Abia State in early 2026, indicating that the monopolistic structure has failed to dismantle criminal syndicates and instead allows them to adapt and exploit gaps."

The NDCJA raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest, pointing to Tompolo's past leadership of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which disrupted oil production through armed campaigns.

It also referenced public reports of luxury acquisitions, internal controversies within Tantita, and the concentration of billions of naira in one individual's hands, fueling suspicions of private enrichment over national interest.

Further criticism focused on Tompolo's repeated public accusations against the Nigerian Navy, alleging collusion with oil thieves, interference in operations, and even attacks on Tantita personnel.

The group warned that such rhetoric breeds infighting, erodes trust between private contractors and the military, and undermines coordinated national efforts against economic sabotage.

Financially, the letter described the contract's reported annual cost of approximately ₦48 billion as indefensible amid fiscal pressures.

Justice added: "The centralised, omnibus structure of the Tantita contract has also ignited dangerous rivalries among former militant leaders, indigenous security companies, community groups, and various stakeholders.

"A properly decentralised model would supplant monopoly with competition, equitably distribute responsibilities across the states, and remove the very conditions that breed such destructive power contests.

"Moreover, the ongoing dependence on one private firm inextricably linked to a single personality introduces serious operational vulnerabilities.

"Any interruption—whether arising from internal disputes, legal challenges, political realignments, or other unforeseen events—could instantly create exploitable intelligence and enforcement gaps that criminal networks would move to fill rapidly.

"Institutional reforms already embedded in the Petroleum Industry Act, together with sustained, professional military-led initiatives, provide a demonstrably more stable and institutionally anchored foundation than this fragile, personality-centric approach.

"Most critically, the continued privatisation of a core national security function through Tantita directly undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty, circumvents accountable state institutions, and establishes a dangerous precedent for outsourcing sovereign responsibilities to non-state actors.

"It stands in direct contradiction to the principles of federalism, genuine inclusivity, and equitable resource governance by marginalising diverse communities while concentrating disproportionate power and wealth in a narrow circle.

“Also the resort to threat by Tompolo and his allies to force FG into renewal of the billions of naira contract exposes the desperation of the individuals involved. Going ahead to renew will only show that we have a weak government that bows to threats from criminals. No individual is more powerful than a country. The Tantita contract is building individuals that will prove problematic to control in the future.

These threats must be investigated and the individuals involved, arrested and decisively dealt with. They must learn the hard lesson that no one is above the law and no one is stronger than the government.

"For all these reasons, the NDCJA demands the immediate and unconditional termination of the Tantita contract and the prompt transition to a fully decentralised surveillance regime.

"Indigenous contractors, selected through open, transparent, and competitive bidding processes in each Niger Delta state, must be empowered to protect oil assets within their jurisdictions.

"Performance must be rigorously measured against verifiable benchmarks, subjected to regular independent audits, and integrated seamlessly with federal security agencies.

"Only through such structural reform can Nigeria construct a truly equitable, effective, and sustainable pipeline protection system capable of safeguarding national revenue, minimising division, and serving the long-term interest of the entire country."

https://www.legit.ng/nigeria/1699966-tinubu-told-immediately-terminate-tompolos-pipeline-surveillance-contract/

Niger Delta people should not resume wahala abeg.

The group people no get name?

Jealous, Bad Belle And Enemies Of Progress
Sponsored By Asari Dokunbo, Tinubu Will Not Even Listen To Them

the group no wan talk their name to avoid the wrath of tompo

When Dangote was saying that some Nigerians are Richer than him,He is talking about Tompolo

Bunch of jealous and jobless people. Y'all can go ahead to terminate the contract and even ostracised Tompolo since you hate him so much.

Pootle:
the group no wan talk their name to avoid the wrath of tompo

That's true.... They don't want to bite more than they can mshew

Lastmankc:
When Dangote was saying that some Nigerians are Richer than him,He is talking about Tompolo

tah!! Tompolo no near dangote leg...Do you know the wealth dangote controls?? You think is by wellhead or loading mother vessel?? Dangote is on another level

enemy of progress group

I know say na that frog always boasting on a chair dey make the noise again.

FashionCookie:
The group people no get name?

All these are just jealous with useless sets of reasons be that?

They should give a legitimate reason other than the contract should be taken from Tompolo and be given to them

I am ashamed...they the oil producers are fighting to be security guard on their own resources

DLSReigns:
I know say na that frog always boasting on a chair dey make the noise again.

That project sha. No be small. People just dey make bastard money 4 this country.

Jealous Urh0bo Elements

Since that Tompolo brother brought Burnaboy, Tiwa Savage, Shallipopi and others to Gbaramatu, Envy consumed them.

Savedday2:
All these are just jealous with useless sets of reasons be that?

They should give a legitimate reason other than the contract should be taken from Tompolo and be given to them

When Tompolo was busy fighting and risking his life as a Militant,
They were collecting Land Deve in their communities.

Now they want to reap where they did not sow.

It wasnt fair giving all the booty to Tompolo.

The Niger Delta is huge and diverse and Tompolo influence may only cover one area alone like Delta state. It needs to be spread out.

If the others can guaranty they would do a great job if it is devolved, they should also have their own portion

Lastmankc:
When Dangote was saying that some Nigerians are Richer than him,He is talking about Tompolo

That FG pipelines security contract to Tompolo's Tanita with the huge amount attached really make him rank among richest in Nigeria.

COMRADES, I agree with them on this because tompolo is not the only one who fought for the emancipation of the Niger Delta

Tinubu should overlook this group. This is crab mentality. They want to drag everyone back. If it were a Fulani man that owes that contract they won't petition him. But because it is their brother that is the reason for the envy. Envious people.

The government should not listen to these faceless people o.

Vinnie2000:
Jealous Urh0bo Elements

Since that Tompolo brother brought Burnaboy, Tiwa Savage, Shallipopi and others to Gbaramatu, Envy consumed them.

Urhobo Abi itsekiri dem. But even that Gbaramatu still get lots of suffering people

ariesbull:
I am ashamed...they the oil producers are fighting to be security guard on their own resources

you should be more ashamed of yourself because you don't know the wealth that comes with the pipeline surveillance contract.....the money is bigger than your state monthly allocation

And you prefer to be a gateman tooil pipeline rather than being a player and owner to the oil wells


Na who do una these things ?

You have so much eaten sugar that you have forgotten the taste of real honey

Oceanjagaban:
you should be more ashamed of yourself because you don't know the wealth that comes with the pipeline surveillance contract.....the money is bigger than your state monthly allocation

Tantika must be dealing with the Ole petrol thieves

p

Antoeni:
Jealous, Bad Belle And Enemies Of Progress
Sponsored By Asari Dokunbo, Tinubu Will Not Even Listen To Them

Because they are not looking at his disbursement and the security involved in tracing local, military and foreign thieves.

WiseBizInvestor:
That FG pipelines security contract to Tompolo's Tanita with the huge amount attached really make him rank among richest in Nigeria.

That must be the basis for the award not his capacity to deliver on the objectives kwo.

Melagros:
COMRADES, I agree with them on this because tompolo is not the only one who fought for the emancipation of the Niger Delta

Lastmankc:
When Dangote was saying that some Nigerians are Richer than him,He is talking about Tompolo

Atiku not tompolo
Atiku get $b of USA legitimately when he steal from obj government/ privatization whahala

Nna wan start another war for Niger Delta again.Abeg,make Dem leave Tompala or na Topology or Tompolo alone oo,na national cake oo

Lastmankc:
When Dangote was saying that some Nigerians are Richer than him,He is talking about Tompolo

If u want to comment, please try & issue a statement that is plausible.

Leepeak:
Atiku not tompolo
Atiku get $b of USA legitimately when he steal from obj government/ privatization whahala

If u want to comment, please try & issue a statement that is plausible.