Tantita Pipeline Surveillance Critical to Nigeria’s Economy, Security — Expert Warns

Nigeria’s economic recovery, energy security, and political stability are increasingly tied to the operations of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a leading security expert, Demeide Master Tony, has said.

According to him, the oil pipeline surveillance contract handled by Tantita has significantly reduced crude oil theft, boosted production levels, and stabilized communities in the Niger Delta over the past four years.

Oil Theft Drops, Production Rises
Demeide disclosed that Tantita’s operations have led to a nearly 80% reduction in oil theft, with Nigeria’s crude oil production rising steadily to 1.8 million barrels per day as of July 2025.
Citing data from NEITI and NUPRC, he noted:
2023: Oil theft dropped by 79%, production rose to 1.4–1.5 million bpd
2024: Production increased further to 1.6 million bpd.

2025: Output peaked at 1.8 million bpd
He added that these gains are saving Nigeria an estimated $18 billion annually.

10,000 Jobs and Community Stability
The security expert emphasized that Tantita has created over 10,000 jobs for Niger Delta youths, helping to:
Reduce unemployment
Discourage pipeline vandalism
Promote peace in host communities
“Economic deprivation fuels crime. By providing jobs, Tantita has reduced the incentive for illegal bunkering and militancy,” he said.
How Tantita’s Security Model Works
Demeide attributed the company’s success to a hybrid security strategy, combining:
Technology-driven surveillance: Use of long-endurance drones and geospatial tracking.

Grassroots intelligence: Recruitment of local youths as “human sensors”
Inter-agency collaboration: Intelligence sharing with Police, DSS, Navy, NSCDC, and JTF.

Specialized training: Operatives trained in intelligence gathering and rapid response.

He noted that this approach aligns with global criminological theories, which emphasize deterrence and community involvement.
Environmental Gains and Cleaner Communities

The reduction in pipeline vandalism has also delivered environmental benefits:
Oil spills dropped by 50% in 2024
Cleanup of polluted sites improved
Reduction in soot pollution in Port Harcourt.

Tantita has also carried out mangrove restoration and environmental remediation projects.

CSR Impact Across Niger Delta
Beyond security, the company has implemented Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including:

Solar-powered classrooms
Road rehabilitation
Scholarships for indigent students
Medical outreach in rural communities
Vocational training in ICT, welding, and marine services.

Warning: Ending Contract Could Trigger Crisis
Demeide cautioned that terminating Tantita’s contract could have severe consequences, including:

A return of large-scale oil theft
Drop in production below 1 million bpd
Renewed militancy and ethnic tensions
Increased environmental degradation
Decline in investor confidence
He warned that unemployed youths could become tools for political violence ahead of the 2027 elections.

Call for Institutionalisation
The expert recommended that Tantita’s role should not only be retained but expanded into a permanent framework.
He proposed the creation of a Niger Delta Pipeline Security Commission (NDPSC), combining private expertise with government authority.

“Tantita has proven that local guardianship works. It should be institutionalized as the backbone of Nigeria’s energy security,” he said.

Quoting military strategist Sun Tzu, Demeide stressed the importance of intelligence in security operations:
“Foreknowledge cannot be gotten from ghosts and spirits… It must be obtained from men who understand the enemy situation.”
He concluded that Tantita represents that “foreknowledge,” warning that removing it could reverse hard-earned gains in Nigeria’s oil sector.