The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum has formally lauded the recent legal and legislative affirmations of the national pipeline surveillance contract, describing them as a “triumph of national interest over sectional sabotage.” In a statement issued on Thursday, April 9, 2026, by the National President of the group, Yerima Shettima, the forum expressed its strong support for the resolutions of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources, which dismissed petitions against the current surveillance framework. The group asserted that the decision to maintain and potentially expand the contract held by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited is a “bold and patriotic step” toward safeguarding Nigeria’s primary revenue assets from the activities of oil thieves and economic saboteurs.
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum’s endorsement follows a high-level roundtable in Abuja where lawmakers from both the Senate and the House of Representatives unanimously backed the continuation of the surveillance arrangement led by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo. The joint committee, chaired by Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and Representative Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, noted that empirical evidence shows a significant reduction in pipeline vandalism and a corresponding increase in the nation’s crude oil production since the contract was inaugurated. The Arewa youths emphasized that the rejection of calls for “contract splitting” would prevent the balkanization of the Niger Delta waterways and ensure a unified, accountable security architecture under the oversight of the Nigerian Navy and other national security agencies.
Yerima Shettima argued that the opposition to the contract was primarily driven by “disgruntled elements” who previously benefited from the lack of oversight in the oil sector. He noted that the “Tompolo model” has successfully integrated local communities into the national security framework, providing employment for thousands of youth and reducing the “incentive for criminality” in the oil-producing regions. The forum urged the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ignore the “media blackmail” and proceed with the full implementation of the National Assembly’s recommendations, which include scaling up the surveillance operations to cover all critical energy corridors across the federation. This stance has been echoed by other regional groups, including the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Afenifere, marking a rare moment of multi-regional consensus on a sensitive security issue.
Security and energy analysts observe that the success of the private surveillance model has fundamentally altered the power dynamics in the Niger Delta. Experts argue that the “hybrid security” approach combining private local intelligence with official military enforcement is currently the most effective deterrent against sophisticated oil theft syndicates. They suggest that the Federal Government must now focus on institutionalizing this partnership through a clear legal framework that outlines the rules of engagement and the boundaries of authority for private security firms. Analysts maintain that the current stability in oil production is fragile and requires the continued cooperation of all regional stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria meets its 2026 fiscal targets.
The broader implications of the Arewa youths’ support point toward a consolidation of the current security strategy for the nation’s “golden goose.” By securing the endorsement of a prominent Northern youth group, the surveillance contract gains a broader national legitimacy that transcends its regional origins in the South-South. This development is expected to bolster the confidence of international oil companies and domestic investors who have cited security concerns as a major barrier to expansion. As the Federal Government moves to formalize the extension of the contract, the focus remains on ensuring value for money and the continued professionalization of the local surveillance teams. For the residents of the oil-producing communities, the goal is to ensure that the “protection of the pipes” translates into sustainable development and environmental restoration.
