Niger Delta Youths Call For Immediate Termination Of Tompolo’s Pipeline Surveillance Contract

Youths from the Niger Delta, under the banner of the Niger Delta Centre for Justice and Accountability, have called for the immediate termination of the pipeline surveillance contract held by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

The contract is intended to curb widespread oil theft and safeguard vital petroleum infrastructure in Nigeria’s oil-producing heartland. However, the NDCJA has labeled it a “failed experiment” that has not delivered meaningful results despite consuming substantial public funds.

In a strongly worded statement released on March 10, 2026, NDCJA Executive Director Comrade Efe Justice highlighted persistent oil theft that continues to drain the country of billions of dollars each year estimated at up to $15 billion with hundreds of thousands of barrels stolen daily by sophisticated criminal syndicates.

The group cited recent busts of large-scale illegal bunkering sites, including major operations uncovered in Abia State earlier this year, as proof that criminal activities have simply relocated rather than been eradicated under the current setup. They further noted that the contract costs the nation roughly ₦48 billion annually with little commensurate impact on security.

The statement sharply rebuked recent public support for the contract from former Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide President Udengs Eradiri, accusing him of pushing “self-serving propaganda” to protect personal and allied interests.

The youths stressed that Eradiri does not speak for the wider Niger Delta population and rejected his portrayal of critics as “enemies of Nigeria” as an attempt to suppress valid demands for transparency and reform.”Eradiri’s glowing endorsement of Tantita disregards the stark evidence on the ground,” the statement declared.

“If this level of ongoing theft and inefficiency qualifies as ‘success’ or ‘peace’ in his view, then we are confronting a profound and perilous misunderstanding.”

While recognizing some improvements in overall oil production, the NDCJA attributed these gains to broader national initiatives rather than the efforts of any one contractor.

They also challenged claims of widespread job creation, arguing that employment under the contract is often unevenly allocated, temporary, or tied to patronage rather than merit, failing to meaningfully tackle chronic youth unemployment and longstanding community frustrations in the region.

As an alternative, the group advocated for a fully decentralized approach to pipeline surveillance. This would entail issuing separate, competitive contracts to multiple credible firms in each oil-producing state via open and transparent tender processes, prioritizing companies with proven security expertise, genuine community involvement, and enforceable performance benchmarks.

“Decentralization is not division; it is intelligent, inclusive security,” the NDCJA emphasized. “Awarding contracts to several qualified operators per state, chosen through fair, merit-driven competition would foster wider participation, improve local intelligence from host communities, and create more effective deterrence against theft and sabotage.

“This structure better reflects true federal principles, enhances fiscal discipline, and avoids undue concentration of power in any single hands.”

The youths appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to commission an independent performance audit of the existing contract prior to any renewal, extension, or modification. They questioned why capable local entities in states such as Bayelsa could not manage surveillance responsibilities more efficiently and accountably.

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