By Tope Kolawole
The Niger Delta Congress (NDC) has called for an immediate independent forensic audit of pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, owned by Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), in an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Signed by Comrade Godfrey Onade on behalf of the group, the letter described the contract—costing the nation approximately ₦4 billion monthly (around $144 million annually)—as a structural failure that has not effectively curbed oil theft or delivered sustainable improvements in crude production.
The Congress highlighted Tantita’s admitted limitations in accessing remote swampy areas, which leaves extensive creek networks exposed, allowing illegal bunkering and refining to continue unabated.
“Tantita’s monopoly model is fundamentally flawed and ineffective,” the letter stated.
“Even its defenders have conceded that the company cannot cover certain remote and swampy territories, resulting in persistent vulnerabilities across our intricate creek systems.”
The group pointed to ongoing weekly discoveries of illegal connections and refineries by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as clear evidence that surveillance remains patchy and inadequate.
On production shortfalls, the Congress noted: “Despite the enormous expenditure, Nigeria’s crude output continues to fall below critical benchmarks, averaging around 1.46 million barrels per day in recent months, dipping as low as 1.31 million bpd in February 2026 according to OPEC figures—well short of the 1.5 million bpd quota and the federal budget target of 1.84 million bpd.”
They argued that persistent theft continues to drain national revenue, contradicting claims of drastic reductions.
The letter sharply criticized human rights activist Deji Adeyanju as a “serial blackmailer” and “fake activist” driven by financial incentives.
“Deji Adeyanju has recklessly accused Naval Officers of crude theft without any proof, while claiming oil theft is at the barest minimum and production has soared—assertions directly contradicted by verifiable data showing ongoing shortfalls and incidents,” it read.
“His narrative aligns precisely with Tompolo’s camp in discrediting the military, raising serious questions about whether he is on their payroll.”
The Congress warned Adeyanju to stay out of Niger Delta affairs, stating he has “zero knowledge” of the region, and demanded a probe into his funding and affiliations.
They further called for the contract’s termination if the audit confirms failures, urging a shift to a transparent, decentralized model involving multiple local operators and full integration with national security forces.
The group declared: “We call for a thorough audit of the activities of Tantita to uncover the true extent of its performance and financial dealings.
“If the right thing is not done promptly, the Niger Delta Congress will have no choice but to proceed to court to compel the appropriate authorities to act in the national interest.”
