By Lucky Uto
A South-South sociopolitical group, the Niger Delta Civil Society Forum (NDCSF), has condemned what it described as coordinated smear campaigns against Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), insisting that such attacks will not derail Nigeria’s ongoing economic recovery.
The group said the negative narratives circulating on social media are being sponsored by oil thieves and economic criminals whose illegal operations have been disrupted by Tantita’s security activities in the Niger Delta.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Warri, Delta State, and signed by its Coordinator, Ezekiel Kagbala, the forum urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remain resolute and ignore what it called “the noise of disgruntled elements masquerading as concerned citizens.”
According to the group, Tantita Security Services has recorded significant achievements since it was engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in August 2022 to protect critical oil and gas infrastructure.
The NDCSF stated that the company’s operations have led to major successes in the fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta.
It noted that Nigeria’s crude oil production, which had fallen to about 1.1 million barrels per day before Tantita’s deployment, has improved steadily, helping to stabilize national revenue and boost investor confidence in the oil and gas sector.
The group also credited the leadership of Tantita’s Chairman, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, for improving security across the Niger Delta waterways.
According to the statement, areas that were once dominated by sea pirates, oil thieves, and criminal gangs have become safer for fishermen, traders, and other legitimate operators.
The forum further said environmental damage caused by illegal refining and crude oil spills has reduced significantly due to the company’s intelligence-driven operations.
NDCSF alleged that those behind the smear campaigns are beneficiaries of illegal oil activities who are trying to weaken enforcement efforts and return the region to the era of widespread vandalism and oil theft.
The group warned that any attempt to undermine Tantita’s work would amount to an attack on Nigeria’s national revenue, energy security, and environmental protection.
It therefore called on Nigerians to support initiatives that promote economic stability and national progress.
“Nigeria must choose progress over propaganda, national interest over criminal sympathy, and economic recovery over sabotage,” the group stated.
