Scores of demonstrators staged a protest on Wednesday at the National Assembly, as lawmakers intensified deliberations on crude oil theft and pipeline security in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta.
Under the banner of the Coalition of Civil Society for Economic Protection, the demonstrators marched to the legislative complex while singing songs of solidarity and holding signs that said things like “Say No to Oil Bunkering” and “Oil thieves Are Conspiring Against Tantita.”
However, security forces, comprising members of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, blocked them from entering the National assembly premises.
The demonstration coincides with increased legislative focus on oil theft, which has long damaged Nigeria’s crude oil production, reduced government revenue, and increased host community insecurity.
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As part of efforts to address the challenge, the Joint Senate and House Committees on Petroleum Resources will, in a few hours, commence a parliamentary roundtable on the state of pipeline security and the battle against crude oil theft.
Among the dignitaries expected to attend the National assembly session are the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Ajayi.
Others present include Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Eteng Williams; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.); Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; and Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Limited, Kestin Pondi, among others.
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Tesleem Kolawole, the group’s organiser, encouraged lawmakers and members of the National Assembly not to compromise on pipeline security and the Niger Delta’s future while speaking to reporters during the demonstration.
He said, “We call on the lawmakers to sincerely and holistically look at the journey of Tantita from when they started securing the country to date, without fear or favour. They should examine the modus operandi of the contract and its primary aim to determine whether it has been successful or not.
“The conversation around pipeline surveillance must be guided by results, because when national assets are secured, the economy benefits, communities stabilise, and young people gain real opportunities.
“In that regard, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has become a visible part of a broader national effort that has helped restore confidence in pipeline security and crude oil production.”
Kolawole went on to say that, based on available data, Nigeria’s oil production has seen a notable recovery, reaching roughly 1.8 million barrels per day in November 2024.
He claimed that this represents a significant improvement over earlier lows of over 500,000 barrels per day before to Tantita Security Services’ involvement in 2022, when rampant criminal activity and vandalism significantly reduced output.
“So our message here today is simple. This is not the time to weaken a framework that has helped restore production, support youth enterprise, improve education, and create alternatives to criminality.
“This is the time to strengthen accountability, improve coordination, and protect what is working. When a programme produces measurable gains in oil security, education, skills, agriculture, and youth engagement, the responsible thing is not disruption; it is consolidation.
“Therefore, we call for continuity, transparency, and support for every initiative that secures national assets while also lifting people. Tantita’s record, as publicly reported, shows that security and development can work together. That is the standard we should protect for Nigeria’s future,” he added.
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Crude oil theft remains one of Nigeria’s top economic challenges, with successive governments adopting a mix of military operations and private surveillance contracts to curb pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.
Future policy directions for safeguarding the nation’s oil infrastructure are anticipated to be shaped by the ongoing parliamentary engagement.
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