Niger Delta Group Demands Review of Tompolo's Pipeline Contract in Open Letter to Tinubu
The Niger Delta Safety Watch (NDSW) has formally addressed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through an open letter, demanding an immediate and comprehensive review of the pipeline surveillance contract currently held by Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo. The group has raised serious concerns about what they describe as persistent underperformance in securing critical oil infrastructure, warning that ongoing security lapses are directly contributing to substantial production losses and declining national revenue.
Production Figures Reveal Significant Shortfalls
In their detailed letter dated February 19, 2026, and signed by spokesperson Chief Ebiowei Koro, NDSW presented compelling data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. According to these official figures, Nigeria's crude oil production in January 2026 stood at approximately 1.46 million barrels per day, falling below the OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels per day and significantly under the Federal Government's 2026 budget benchmark of 1.84 million barrels per day.
The group highlighted that production has consistently missed OPEC quotas across multiple months, resulting in an estimated cumulative shortfall of 18.12 million barrels between January 2025 and January 2026. NDSW argues that these substantial losses directly reflect weaknesses in pipeline security under the current surveillance arrangement managed by Tompolo's company, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
Accusations of Poor Performance and Military Blame
The open letter contains several serious allegations against Tompolo and his security operations:
- The group accuses Tompolo of repeatedly shifting blame to the Nigerian Armed Forces whenever surveillance outcomes fall short
- NDSW describes Tompolo's public comments about engaging with individuals involved in oil bunkering as problematic
- The organization criticizes what they see as efforts to marginalize local youth while consolidating control through government contracts
"Instead of accepting responsibility for persistent production shortfalls and pipeline vulnerabilities under his watch, he points accusing fingers at the military, claiming obstruction or even complicity in bunkering," the letter states. "By casting aspersions on security institutions that have consistently dismantled illegal refineries, intercepted stolen crude, and arrested perpetrators, Tompolo deflects from his glaring failures, sows division, and erodes public confidence in the Armed Forces."
Call for Transparent Assessment and Contract Review
NDSW argues that relying on a private company for such a critical national security task raises serious questions when results remain consistently below expectations. The group suggests that stronger coordination with established security structures, including the Joint Task Force, could potentially yield better outcomes for pipeline protection and oil production stability.
The organization concluded their letter with a direct appeal to President Tinubu, urging him to order an immediate and transparent evaluation of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited's performance since the contract was awarded in 2022. They further recommend that the administration consider whether the agreement should be renewed, restructured, or reassigned in the interest of national revenue, community safety, and long-term energy security.
The group emphasized that billions in public funds have been entrusted to Tompolo's company, making accountability and performance transparency essential components of any national security arrangement. They maintain that the current arrangement's shortcomings are contributing directly to Nigeria's economic challenges through lost oil production and reduced government revenue.
