A storm is brewing in the Niger Delta as the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly prepares to pull the plug on the most expensive private security arrangement in Nigerian history, at the center of this firestorm is Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, whose firm, Tantita Security Services Limited, currently holds a pipeline surveillance contract now valued at a staggering $144 million (N48 billion) annually.
Sources within the presidency suggest that the era of “private militant diplomacy” may be coming to an end, as the federal government looks to restructure how Nigeria’s oil assets are protected.
The $144 Million “Secret” Review
The controversy reached a boiling point after it was discovered that the contract had been quietly reviewed upward to $144 million. Critics argue that this massive sum has done little to help Nigeria meet its OPEC production quota of 1.5 million barrels per day, which the country has consistently failed to achieve.
Instead, the wealth has reportedly fueled intense rivalries between former militant leaders and regional power brokers. With Nigeria’s economy struggling for foreign exchange, many in Abuja are questioning why such a massive amount of “oil money” is being handed to a private individual rather than being invested in the Nigerian Navy or the Civil Defence Corps.
Lobbying Washington
In what many see as a sign of pure desperation, Tompolo’s associates have reportedly taken their fight to the United States. Mathew Tonlagha, a key figure in Tantita, has entered into a $120,000-a-month contract with Valcour Global Public Strategy, a Washington-based lobbying firm.
The goal is to convince U.S. policymakers that Tompolo is the only person capable of keeping the Niger Delta stable. However, insiders suggest this “international charm offensive” may backfire, as it highlights the immense private wealth being generated from public resources during a national economic crisis.
The House of Representatives Steps In
While Tompolo lobbies Washington, the House of Representatives has launched its own probe into the NNPC’s pipeline surveillance awards. Lawmakers are investigating the performance benchmarks and financial oversight of these contracts, specifically those awarded under former NNPC boss Mele Kyari.
If the probe finds that Tantita failed to meet its targets, or if the cost is deemed “unjustifiable,” President Tinubu could move to divide the contract among multiple firms or return the responsibility to state security agencies entirely.
A Delta Divided
The potential revocation of this contract has the Niger Delta on edge. Supporters of the current model warn of a “security vacuum” if local experts are removed, while critics say the current system is nothing more than a “legalized protection racket.”
One thing is very sure: if Tinubu signs the order to revoke, the balance of power in the Niger Delta will be changed forever.
