Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The National Assembly has given a powerful endorsement to Nigeria’s revamped pipeline protection architecture, passing a vote of confidence in Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) for their role in curbing crude theft and securing vital oil infrastructure.
Confirming the development, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director of Operations and Technical at Tantita, said the recognition was “a clear testament to the sacrifices of our men on the ground and the unprecedented collaboration with host communities.”
At a one-day parliamentary roundtable on pipeline security and crude oil theft, the Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources dismissed three petitions challenging the surveillance contract after petitioners failed to appear to defend their claims.
Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Henry Okojie, said the evidence speaks for itself.
“We have seen measurable, verifiable results, and the facts do not lie. Nigeria is producing about 1.8 million barrels per day today a massive turnaround from the 900,000 barrels per day we had before this system was introduced in 2022.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, cautioned that the global energy landscape leaves no room for laxity.
“Crude oil remains the engine of the world’s transportation and industrial systems, powering almost all vehicles, ships, and aircraft. With global tensions disrupting supply routes, Nigeria cannot afford internal leakages and sabotage.”
Referencing crises such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the Russia–Ukraine conflict, Tajudeen added:
“These shocks have shown us that national resilience begins at home. Securing our oil assets is not optional it is an existential task, and the National Assembly is fully committed to leading that effort.”
Tajudeen also reflected on the roots of the crude theft epidemic in the Niger Delta.
“Years of environmental degradation and community neglect created anger and desperation. What followed was vandalism, illegal bunkering, and a scale of crude theft that drained billions of dollars from our economy.”
He noted that before reforms began, Nigeria was losing “between 10 to 30 percent of daily crude output to theft, a national tragedy by every measure.”
According to the Speaker, the Federal Government’s 2022 decision to adopt a community-anchored surveillance model involving private operators such as Tantita has become a turning point.
“When communities are partners, not bystanders, the results are dramatic. Illegal tap points are being uncovered, production is stabilizing, and for the first time in years, confidence is returning to the sector.”
Tantita’s Captain Enisuoh echoed the sentiment:
“Our success comes from local trust. These communities know the terrain, they know the threats, and they want to protect what belongs to them.”
Tajudeen further highlighted the social benefits of the program.
“Thousands of Niger Delta youths, many of whom were once drawn into agitation, now have legitimate jobs protecting the nation’s wealth. That is real impact and it is transformational.”
The Speaker acknowledged that crude theft still occurs in some corridors, underscoring the need for stronger enforcement.
“We have made progress, but the mission is far from over. We will continue to tighten oversight laws, including provisions under the Petroleum Industry Act, to ensure transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance for sabotage.”
Engaged in 2022, Tantita Security Services operates a community-based surveillance model that integrates real-time intelligence, local participation, and rapid response. Its collaboration with NNPC and security agencies has been widely credited with restoring production stability and boosting government revenue.