{"id":5606,"date":"2026-05-22T13:33:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T13:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/05\/22\/fight-against-oil-theft-abraye-calls-on-fg-to-make-tompolos-pipeline-surveillance-contract-permanent-as-tantita-intercepts-another-vessel-laden-with-stolen-crude-oil\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T13:33:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T13:33:35","slug":"fight-against-oil-theft-abraye-calls-on-fg-to-make-tompolos-pipeline-surveillance-contract-permanent-as-tantita-intercepts-another-vessel-laden-with-stolen-crude-oil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/05\/22\/fight-against-oil-theft-abraye-calls-on-fg-to-make-tompolos-pipeline-surveillance-contract-permanent-as-tantita-intercepts-another-vessel-laden-with-stolen-crude-oil\/","title":{"rendered":"FIGHT AGAINST OIL THEFT: Abraye Calls On FG To Make Tompolo\u2019s Pipeline Surveillance Contract Permanent, As Tantita Intercepts Another Vessel Laden With Stolen Crude Oil\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Uche Alvin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Advocates For Peace, Development And Economic Justice (NDAPDEJ), Comrade Freeborn Abraye, has commended the outstanding efforts, operational vigilance, and high-level security intelligence of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited following the successful interception of a vessel laden with stolen crude oil between River Dodo and River Ramos on May 18, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abraye described the latest operation by Tantita as another major breakthrough in the ongoing war against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region, stressing that the company has continued to prove its effectiveness, patriotism, and unwavering commitment toward protecting Nigeria\u2019s critical economic assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Abraye, the vessel identified as Augustina was apprehended while allegedly transporting stolen crude oil from the Pennington axis with nine crew members onboard, a development he said further exposes the desperation and criminal sophistication of economic saboteurs who have for years bled the nation dry through organized oil theft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe interception of this vessel once again confirms that Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has remained vigilant, proactive, and uncompromising in the fight against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta region. What Tantita has achieved within a short period is unprecedented in the history of pipeline surveillance in Nigeria.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abraye emphasized that before the emergence of Tantita under the leadership of Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo, Nigeria was losing billions of dollars annually to criminal syndicates involved in oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal refining activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He noted that the country\u2019s oil production had drastically declined due to widespread sabotage of oil facilities, adding that the intervention of Tantita has significantly reversed the ugly trend and restored confidence within the oil and gas sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTantita\u2019s security architecture has saved Nigeria from monumental economic disaster. Their operations have drastically reduced pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, and crude oil theft across the Niger Delta. Today, Nigeria is witnessing increased crude oil production because criminals who once operated freely are now being hunted down and exposed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abraye further declared that the remarkable increase in Nigeria\u2019s oil output since the awarding of the pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo is a clear indication that local content participation and indigenous security intelligence remain the most effective strategy for protecting the nation\u2019s oil infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the federal government must not only sustain its support for Tantita but should immediately make the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tompolo permanent in view of the company\u2019s undeniable achievements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe federal government must understand that what Tantita is doing is beyond ordinary contract execution; this is economic recovery, national security protection, and strategic stabilization of Nigeria\u2019s oil sector. Making Tompolo\u2019s pipeline surveillance contract permanent is in the best interest of Nigeria.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NDAPDEJ National Coordinator also issued a strong warning against growing calls by certain individuals and groups seeking the decentralization of Tompolo\u2019s pipeline surveillance contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to him, many of those advocating for the fragmentation or decentralization of the contract are individuals who allegedly benefited from crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, and pipeline vandalism before Tantita disrupted their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThose calling for the decentralization of Tompolo\u2019s contract are not patriotic Nigerians. Many of them are economic saboteurs and beneficiaries of the criminal oil theft network that once crippled Nigeria\u2019s economy. They are unhappy because Tantita has blocked their illegal sources of wealth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abraye warned that any attempt to weaken or politicize Tantita\u2019s operations could reopen the floodgates for oil theft and pipeline vandalism across the Niger Delta region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He maintained that no sincere Niger Deltan or patriotic Nigerian would demand the dismantling or weakening of a security structure that has significantly improved Nigeria\u2019s crude oil production and boosted national revenue generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo well-meaning Nigerian will call for the decentralization of a security arrangement that is clearly working effectively. The results are visible for everyone to see. Nigeria is earning more revenue today because Tantita has successfully curtailed the activities of oil thieves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abraye further stressed that the improved oil revenue currently being generated by the federal government has strengthened the nation\u2019s capacity to meet critical constitutional responsibilities including road construction, healthcare development, educational infrastructure, bridge construction, payment of workers\u2019 salaries, youth empowerment, and the general administration of governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He therefore called on the federal government, security agencies, stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, and the international community to continue supporting Tantita\u2019s operations in order to sustain the ongoing economic gains and stability in the Niger Delta region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNigeria cannot afford to return to the dark era where criminal syndicates held the nation\u2019s oil facilities hostage. Tantita has demonstrated courage, capacity, and competence. The government must continue to support this outstanding model established by Tompolo for the protection of Nigeria\u2019s most valuable economic assets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed:
Comrade Freeborn Abraye
National Coordinator
Niger Delta Advocates For Peace, Development And Economic Justice ( NDAPDEJ<\/strong> ).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Uche Alvin The National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Advocates For Peace, Development And…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"FIGHT AGAINST OIL THEFT: Abraye Calls On FG To Make Tompolo\u2019s Pipeline Surveillance Contract Permanent, As Tantita Intercepts Another Vessel Laden With Stolen Crude Oil\u201d","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[13],"tags":[1874],"class_list":["post-5606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-fight-against-oil-theft-abraye-calls-on-fg-to-make-tompolos-pipeline-surveillance-contract-permanent"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5614,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/05\/24\/just-in-freeborn-abraye-warns-itsekiri-national-youths-council-to-stop-politicizing-tompolos-pipeline-surveillance-contract-describes-call-for-decentralization-as-plot-to-reopen-illegal-bun\/","url_meta":{"origin":5606,"position":0},"title":"JUST IN: Freeborn Abraye Warns Itsekiri National Youths Council To Stop Politicizing Tompolo\u2019s Pipeline Surveillance Contract, Describes Call For Decentralization As Plot To Reopen Illegal Bunkering, Pipeline Vandalism, Crude Oil Theft Networks For Oil Thieves","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"May 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022Charge The Youth Body To First Demand For The Decentralization Of The Pipeline Surveillance Contract Handled By Their Olu, Tsola Emiko, The Olu Of Itsekiri Before Attacking Tompolo\u2019s Contract By Ebiowei Gabriel The National Coordinator of Niger Delta Advocates For Peace, Development and Economic Justice (NDAPDEJ), Comrade Freeborn Abraye, has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In 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3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2182,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2024\/04\/07\/northern-youths-group-hails-tantita-security-boss-tompolos-peace-advocacy-in-niger-delta\/","url_meta":{"origin":5606,"position":1},"title":"Northern Youths Group Hails Tantita Security Boss Tompolo\u2019s Peace Advocacy In Niger Delta","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"April 7, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye A group, Northern Youths Progressive Network (NYPN) has called on warring communities in the Niger Delta to sheath their swords and cooperate with the Tompolo\u2019s indigenous private security outfit, Tantita Security Services\u2019 peace and security initiatives in order to promote peaceful coexistence in the Niger Delta region.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In 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