‘Why pipeline surveillance framework must be retained’
Policy analyst, Jamiu Idris, has given reasons Federal Government should retain Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), led by Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), arguing the surveillance framework has delivered measurable improvements
- Our Reporters
Policy analyst, Jamiu Idris, has given reasons Federal Government should retain Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), led by Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), arguing the surveillance framework has delivered measurable improvements in Nigeria’s oil sector.
In an analysis in Lagos, Idris said decisions around pipeline security should be guided by empirical results rather than political considerations as Nigeria navigates economic recovery challenges.
According to him, crude oil production, which dropped to about 1.015 million barrels per day in September 2022, has rebounded significantly since Tantita’s operations. He noted that output rose to 1.8 million barrels per day by July 2025, including condensates.
He said the increase of over 300,000 barrels per day represents a critical boost to government revenue, foreign exchange earnings, and fiscal stability.
Idris attributed the improvement to adoption of a community-based surveillance model, which he said has enhanced intelligence gathering and reduced large-scale oil theft in Niger Delta.
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“The only metric that truly matters is the volume of oil that safely reaches export terminals,” he said, adding the framework has proven more effective than previous centralised security approaches.
The analyst warned that discontinuing the contract could reverse gains, potentially exposing oil infrastructure to renewed vandalism and theft.
He cautioned against ca lls for decentralising pipeline surveillance, noting such could fragment command structures and weaken coordinated responses to security threats.
Idris noted pipelines cut across communities and states, making unified oversight critical to effective monitoring.
He argued the arrangement has led to relative stability in Niger Delta by creating jobs for youths, thereby reducing incentives for militancy, others.
While noting criticisms, he said focusing on operators’ backgrounds rather than performance outcomes could undermine national interests.
He also alleged that some opposition to the arrangement may be driven by individuals displaced from illegal oil bunkering activities and by political actors seeking to exploit the issue for partisan advantage.
