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WARRI— In a forceful display of solidarity, a coalition of Itsekiri coordinators from Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) has issued a strong rebuttal against recent agitation calling for the revocation of the company’s pipeline surveillance contract.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the group, representing clusters across the Itsekiri nation, declared that the agitators do not speak for the people of the Niger Delta and are instead motivated by selfish interests aimed at returning the region to a state of disorder.

The coordinators addressed their statement directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing profound appreciation for the recent renewal of the surveillance contract. They lauded the administration’s commitment to continuity and the protection of the nation’s critical oil and gas infrastructure.

The group unequivocally endorsed High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, as the most capable leader for the task, citing his leadership as the driving force behind Tantita’s success in drastically reducing oil theft and restoring confidence in the sector.

“We are stating unequivocally that High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has proven himself to be the most capable and reliable leader for this critical national assignment,” the statement read.

The Itsekiri leaders dismissed calls for decentralization or cancellation of the contract as “misguided,” alleging that many of those behind the opposition are individuals previously involved in pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering whose activities have been curtailed by Tantita’s operations.

Addressing claims of exclusion, the coordinators emphasized that Tantita’s operational structure is already inclusive, with community-based individuals appointed as coordinators and contractors across various ethnic nationalities. They asserted that they themselves are legitimate representatives of their communities, with Mr. Ebisan Fenemigho, Mr. Fidelis Ete Lori, Mr. Richard Arubi, and over a dozen other signatories listed as cluster coordinators.

The group further highlighted Tantita’s broader impact on the region, noting that the company’s presence has not only secured pipelines but has also “effectively eradicated incidents of kidnapping and unrest in the region’s waters, while also contributing to the revival and promotion of aquatic life through the protection of the ecosystem.”

In their conclusion, the coordinators reaffirmed their unwavering support for Tantita Security Services and advised the agitators to pursue legitimate opportunities rather than attempting to disrupt a system they said was delivering results.

“Let it be clearly stated that the pipeline surveillance contract is not a regional entitlement or ‘Niger Delta slot,’ but a responsibility entrusted by the Federal Government to a competent and capable organization,” the statement added. “Tantita has earned this trust through performance, discipline, and results.”