JRN President Urges Federal Government to Involve State-Based Stakeholders and Host Communities for Lasting Peace and Increased Oil Production

National President of Justice & Restoration Network , Paebi Samson, has called on the Federal Government not to renew pipeline surveillance contracts solely for Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, insisting that pipeline protection in the Niger Delta should be decentralised across the oil-producing states.

Speaking in reaction to the recent solidarity walk held in Abuja in support of Tantita Security Services, Paebi said pipeline security is too sensitive and important to be controlled by one private company alone.

According to him, every oil-producing state in the Niger Delta has credible stakeholders and leaders who should work directly with host communities in protecting critical national assets and ensuring accountability.

He stated that decentralising pipeline surveillance contracts would create a transparent and balanced system that promotes inclusion, fairness, and shared responsibility among ethnic nationalities in the region.

Paebi stressed that the Niger Delta is made up of diverse tribes, communities with different realities, warning that allowing one company to dominate pipeline surveillance operations has continued to generate tension, complaints, and feelings of exclusion among stakeholders.

“The Niger Delta belongs to all of us. Every state should have the opportunity to participate in protecting pipelines within their environment instead of allowing monopoly in such a critical sector,” he said.

He explained that involving stakeholders from Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ondo, Imo, and Abia States would improve intelligence gathering and strengthen cooperation between security operators and host communities.

Paebi also raised concerns over allegations of human rights abuses allegedly linked to the operations of Tantita Security Services in some parts of the Niger Delta.

He alleged that many citizens have complained about intimidation, harassment, and oppression allegedly carried out under the guise of pipeline surveillance activities, while concerns are growing that contract funds are allegedly being used to silence critics and suppress vulnerable voices within the region.

“We cannot build peace in the Niger Delta through fear, intimidation, or oppression. Security operations should protect the people and not create tension in communities,” he stated.

He called on the Federal Government and security agencies to investigate complaints coming from affected communities and ensure pipeline surveillance operations are conducted with respect for human rights and the rule of law.

According to him, state-based stalkholders working with host communities directly in surveillance operations would reduce pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and illegal bunkering, while also creating jobs for thousands of youths and reducing restiveness in the region.

Paebi therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to decentralise pipeline surveillance contracts across the Niger Delta, insisting that inclusive participation remains the best path toward lasting peace, accountability, security, and increasing Nigeria’s oil production beyond 2 million barrels per day.