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By Lizzy Chirkpi
A petition from the Warri Indigenous People Movement, representing the Itsekiri ethnic group, has put the Federal Government of Nigeria on notice, demanding an urgent review of pipeline surveillance and security contracts within their ancestral lands.
The group, through a letter addressed to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuru Ribadu, claimed that current contract awards to perceived enemies are undermining their community’s well-being and posing security threats.
The petition, dated June 2025, specifically calls out the renewal of a surveillance contract for Tantita Security Services Limited within Itsekiri communities, asserting that it is perceived by the Itsekiris as subjugation to the Ijaws and an affront to our rights.
This statement highlights long-standing ethnic tensions in the Niger Delta region, where control over oil-rich territories and associated benefits often fuels disputes.
According to the Itsekiri leaders-Hon. Kingsley Tenumah (Afere) and Comrade Monoyo Edon, the Chairman and General Secretary of the movement respectively lamented “the government’s current practice of awarding contracts to individuals and companies affiliated with our sworn enemies creates an untenable situation.”
They emphasize their rights as a host community under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which aims to provide more benefits to local communities impacted by oil and gas operations.
A particularly inflammatory point raised in the petition is the alleged boastful comments by an unnamed individual, said to be affiliated with a beneficiary company, who reportedly belittles the Itsekiri community despite their indelible contributions to the nation’s economy.
This individual is accused of downplaying the Itsekiri’s importance because his company enjoys surveillance contracts in their domain, instead of each host community having such responsibility, as the Itsekiri believe is enshrined in the PIA.
The group urged the NSA to “Immediately halt all contract awards to individuals and companies affiliated with their perceived enemies and establish a transparent and fair contract award process that prioritizes the interests of host communities.”
The petition gives the Federal Government a strict seven-day deadline from the date of receipt to respond and take “meaningful action. Failure to do so, may lead to further action, including protests and other forms of peaceful demonstration.”
Despite the strong tone, the Itsekiri leaders express confidence in the NSA’s ability to handle the matter with fairness and professionalism, citing Mallam Ribadu’s pedigree and history of professionalism.
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) is a leading indigenous security solutions provider, specializing in the protection of Nigeria’s vital oil and gas infrastructure. Established with a focus on safeguarding critical national assets, TSSNL has built a reputation for excellence, innovation, and reliability. Our proactive approach, combined with cutting-edge technology and expert personnel, enables us to deliver unmatched security services across Nigeria’s high-risk sectors.
This development explains the complex challenges of resource management and ethnic politics in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions. The Federal Government now faces the delicate task of addressing Itsekiri’s grievances while navigating the intricate web of relationships and interests that define the Niger Delta’s security landscape. The coming week will be crucial in determining whether a peaceful resolution can be achieved, or if tensions will escalate further.