A coalition of Niger Delta stakeholders under the aegis of the 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC) has urged the Federal Government to ignore what it described as attempts by crude oil theft syndicates masquerading as activists and community leaders to undermine efforts aimed at combating oil bunkering in the region.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Izon Ebi, the group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian state to remain steadfast in supporting the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, owned by former Niger Delta militant leader Government Ekpemupolo.
The group accused certain individuals and organizations of mounting media campaigns to discredit Tantita’s operations while pushing for the decentralization of the surveillance contract. According to the coalition, such efforts are being driven by oil bunkering networks seeking to weaken enforcement measures against crude oil theft.
CYNDAC described the recent criticisms of Tantita as “cheap blackmail,” insisting that the security firm’s operations in the Niger Delta waterways have significantly contributed to the fight against oil theft.
“We strongly condemn the attacks against Tantita Security Services and urge those involved to stop distracting Nigerians with unfounded allegations,” the group stated.
“The people of the Niger Delta and civil society organizations remain the unbiased judges of the progress recorded so far in the fight against crude oil criminality.”
The coalition maintained that since Tantita began operations under the federal government’s pipeline surveillance contract, several illegal refining sites and crude oil theft networks have been uncovered across the region. It added that hundreds of illegal artisanal refineries had been dismantled, while illegal pipelines and vessels used in transporting stolen crude had also been discovered and seized.
According to the group, the crackdown has contributed to an improvement in Nigeria’s crude oil output, which had previously dropped to historic lows due to large-scale oil theft and pipeline vandalism. CYNDAC argued that the intervention has helped restore some level of stability to the region’s oil sector.
For years, crude oil theft and illegal refining activities have posed major environmental, economic, and security challenges in the Niger Delta.
The group noted that the proliferation of artisanal refineries had led to widespread environmental degradation, frequent fires, and the release of harmful gases that affected local communities.
It also alleged that oil theft networks previously armed and recruited youths across the region, contributing to violence, militancy, and social disruption in many communities.
The coalition said the introduction of Tantita’s surveillance operations had helped reduce such activities and encouraged young people to return to education and lawful economic pursuits.
CYNDAC further alleged that crude oil theft syndicates had attempted to bribe Tantita operators but resorted to public attacks after failing to compromise the company’s leadership.
The group commended President Tinubu for renewing the pipeline surveillance contract initially awarded to Tantita by the previous administration, describing the move as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s oil resources.
While urging those opposing the company to reconsider their stance, the coalition called for collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen efforts against crude oil theft.
“If Tantita has achieved this much progress within a short period, it will be in the interest of all stakeholders to work with them and serve Nigeria better,” the statement said.
