A Niger Delta peace promoter and security expert, Dr Johnson Agagbo, FNIPR, FISN, has called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to renew and expand the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
Dr. Agagbo, who is a fellow of the Institute of Security, Nigeria, said the contract has been instrumental in curbing oil theft and restoring Nigeria’s crude oil output.
The Uvwie prominent voice from Ekpan in Delta State, “Since Tantita assumed surveillance duties, Nigeria’s daily oil production has increased by more than 300,000 barrels,” he said, citing data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, “This success should not be disrupted.”
Dr. Agagbo warned against what he described as “divisive calls” to terminate the contract, saying such actions could embolden illegal bunkering networks and reverse gains made in securing national assets. “You don’t change a winning team,” he said, urging national stakeholders to stand behind what he described as “one of the most effective and impactful security engagements in Nigeria’s oil sector.”
As a security expert, Dr. Agagbo praised Tantita for leveraging advanced technology in its operations, particularly through the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor and safeguard critical national infrastructure.
“Tantita has demonstrated innovation by relying on aerial surveillance and real-time intelligence, rather than depending solely on physical security apparatus,” he said.
He also criticized those lobbying for the job without understanding its operational demands.
“Many of those clamoring to take over this contract have no understanding of the scope or complexity of what is involved,” Agagbo said. “They are preoccupied with the pecuniary benefits, not with national interest or security performance.”
Agagbo emphasized Tantita’s significant contributions to youth empowerment across the Niger Delta. “No other security outfit in the region engages more youths across ethnic lines,” he said. “Thousands of young people now have meaningful employment, pulling many away from criminal activity and giving them a stake in national security.”
According to Dr. Agagbo, the Federal Government and NNPCL have previously acknowledged Tantita’s compliance and performance across Delta, Ondo, Imo, Rivers, and parts of Bayelsa states. He argued that dismantling the current surveillance framework would create dangerous security gaps.
He called on Niger Delta traditional rulers, political leaders, civil society organizations, and youth groups to support the campaign for the contract’s renewal.
“We must protect the peace and progress we’ve built. This is not just about contracts; it is about safeguarding Nigeria’s economic future,” Dr Agagbo said.
