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…warn against campaign to undermine Stability of the Niger Delta

By Gloria Ikibah

The President of the South South Initiative, Emmanuel Iriogbe, has defended the current pipeline surveillance framework in the Niger Delta, warning that attempts to discredit the system could undermine the stability recently restored in the region.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Iriogbe said the group convened the meeting to address what it described as growing misinformation surrounding the protection of Nigeria’s oil pipelines, particularly in the wake of ongoing discussions and scrutiny by the National Assembly.

According to him, Nigeria’s oil infrastructure remains the backbone of the country’s economy and has for decades suffered from widespread vandalism, oil theft and organised criminal activity.

He said, “We have convened this press briefing today under the platform of the South South Initiative to address certain disturbing developments and deliberate misinformation currently circulating regarding the protection of Nigeria’s oil pipelines and the security architecture that has restored stability to the Niger Delta.

“Nigeria’s crude oil infrastructure is not just an industrial asset; it is the lifeline of our national economy. For decades, our nation suffered enormous losses as a result of pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, oil theft, and organised criminality across the Niger Delta,” he said.

He said the country had lost trillions of dollars that could have been used to fund development projects and critical public services.

The SSI President further explained that a major shift occurred when the Federal Government began adopting a community-based approach to pipeline protection during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, a policy he said had been sustained by subsequent administrations.

“For many years, successive governments struggled to address this menace. Conventional approaches, including reliance solely on formal security agencies, unfortunately proved inadequate to stem the tide of theft and destruction.

“However, a turning point came when the Federal Government adopted a community-driven security approach, engaging indigenous pipeline surveillance companies with deep knowledge of the terrain and the communities,” Iriogbe stated.

Iriogbe identified companies such as Tantita Security Services and Maton Engineering Services among indigenous surveillance operators working across the region.
“One of the foremost among these companies is Tantita Security Services. There is also Maton Engineering Services, alongside other indigenous surveillance organisations operating across the Niger Delta. This strategy has produced measurable and undeniable results,” he said.

He maintained that before the introduction of the community-based surveillance structure, pipeline vandalism and illegal refineries were widespread across the Niger Delta.

According to him, the situation has significantly improved in recent years.

“Before the introduction of these indigenous surveillance structures, Nigeria’s pipelines were under relentless attack. Illegal refineries operated openly, crude was siphoned in massive quantities, and the nation could not even determine the exact volume of oil being produced or stolen.

“Today, the story is different. Pipeline vandalism has reduced drastically. Illegal bunkering activities have been significantly curtailed. The Federal Government can now make projections and budgetary plans based on more reliable production data,” he said.

He attributed the progress to the inclusion of host communities in the protection of oil infrastructure.

“These achievements did not happen by accident. They happened because local stakeholders were incorporated into the security architecture. Communities that host these pipelines now participate directly in protecting them,” he added.

Iriogbe explained that when the surveillance contract was awarded to Tantita Security Services, its leadership convened a major meeting in Oporoza, the traditional headquarters of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, where leaders from across the Niger Delta gathered to discuss an inclusive surveillance structure.

According to him, coordinators and subcontractors were appointed from areas where the pipelines pass, ensuring broad community participation.

“At that meeting, the leadership made it clear that pipeline protection would not be monopolised by one ethnic group or community. Instead, surveillance responsibilities were distributed across tribes and communities.

“This inclusive approach ensured that every community became a stakeholder in protecting national assets. These are verifiable facts,” he said.

The South South Initiative president also alleged that individuals who previously benefited from illegal bunkering were behind recent campaigns against the surveillance system.

“Corruption, especially in the oil bunkering sector, is fighting back. Those who profited from the chaos of pipeline vandalism and illegal refineries are naturally uncomfortable with the new order of accountability and surveillance,” he said.

He further warned against entrusting national resources to individuals whose presence in the region had been linked to corrupt practices.

“We cannot trust our resources to so-called forces whose only duty in the region is corruption and collaboration with illegal refineries,” he said.

Iriogbe urged Nigerians and the Federal Government to carefully scrutinise allegations being circulated against the current surveillance framework.

He noted that many oil-producing countries around the world invest heavily in protecting their energy infrastructure.

“The South South Initiative therefore urges the Nigerian public and the Federal Government to treat these allegations with extreme caution. We must not allow the enemies of Nigeria’s progress to dismantle what has taken years to build.

“No serious nation leaves the protection of its primary economic resource to chance. Nigeria should not be expected to do otherwise.

“Pipeline surveillance companies like Tantita are not merely security contractors. They have also demonstrated strong commitments to corporate social responsibility. Across the Niger Delta, numerous developmental initiatives have been undertaken,” he said.

He warned that dismantling the existing security arrangement without a clear alternative could push the Niger Delta back to the era of militancy and pipeline attacks.

“There was a time when the Niger Delta was engulfed in violence. Militancy disrupted production, pipelines were destroyed, and national revenues collapsed,” he said.

Iriogbe therefore called on the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sustain the current framework, to remain focused on protecting the gains made in the region.

“If necessary, the Federal Government may constitute a high-powered independent delegation to verify the claims we have presented today.

“In conclusion, we call on all well-meaning Nigerians to reject propaganda designed to resurrect the dark era of oil theft and pipeline vandalism. Let us protect the progress we have made and support systems that work,” he said.