American defence technology firm, Textron Systems, has entered into an agreement to supply advanced surveillance drones to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, the private security outfit contracted by the Federal Government to protect vital oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta.
Under the arrangement, Textron will deliver three Aerosonde Mk 4.7 Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) drones to Tantita, a company owned by former militant leader and prominent Niger Delta security contractor, Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo).
The Aerosonde Mk 4.7 is a long-endurance tactical platform designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Its VTOL feature allows it to take off and land in tight spaces without a runway — an advantage for operations across creeks, swamps and offshore environments in the oil-producing region.
Industry analysts say the deployment is expected to significantly boost Tantita’s capability to detect and track pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage. The drones can operate for extended hours, transmitting real-time images and data to ground teams.
The development has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters describe the move as a welcome step toward safeguarding national oil infrastructure and stabilising production. Critics, however, warn that equipping private security firms with increasingly sophisticated technology requires strong federal oversight to prevent misuse and ensure accountability.
Tantita has played a major role in the government’s pipeline surveillance programme and has been credited with contributing to reported gains in crude oil output through heightened monitoring across key corridors of the Niger Delta.
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