... As Pipeline Surveillance Should Be Managed by Host Communities and State Stakeholders, Not a Centralize Contractor 

Mrs. Tsaye Edeyibo Mene, Convener and Leader of Warri Reclamation Thrust, has said that the debate surrounding pipeline surveillance in the Niger Delta is one of many reasons why the surveillance contract should be decentralized across the states, host communities, and other stakeholders in the region. According to her, communities should be allowed to play a direct role in managing and protecting their own territories.

She said that concentrating such a sensitive security responsibility in the hands of a single private contractor creates concerns, especially when that contractor is perceived by some communities as having interests beyond pipeline protection. 

She argued that any organization accused of taking interest in communal disputes, leadership struggles, traditional institutions, or the emergence of community chairmen in areas outside its own territory could become a source of tension.

Mrs. Mene stated that the Niger Delta is a complex region with a long history of ethnic, territorial, and political disagreements. She said that peace can only be sustained when every ethnic nationality and host community feels respected, included, and protected under a fair and transparent system.

She explained that this concern formed part of a petition submitted by concerned Itsekiri citizens and Niger Delta stakeholders to the President, the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, and other relevant security agencies regarding the recent acquisition of advanced drones by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

According to her, the petition does not seek to attack Tantita Security Services or undermine efforts to fight crude oil theft. Rather, she said it raises questions about the operation of sophisticated surveillance equipment by a private security company in a region where ethnic tensions and territorial disputes have existed for many years.

Mrs. Mene said that many people are worried about the possibility of surveillance activities being carried out in territories where there are existing disagreements between communities. She argued that such fears could increase suspicion and weaken trust among ethnic groups if there is no strong government oversight.

She said that, for example, many people would be concerned if drones operated by a private contractor were flown over territories belonging to communities that have unresolved disputes with groups associated with the company. In her view, such situations could create fresh tensions and raise important national security questions.

For this reason, she called on the Federal Government to establish strict regulations governing the acquisition, deployment, and operation of drones by private security companies. She said these activities should be closely supervised by the Armed Forces, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and other relevant agencies.

Mrs. Mene further called for regular audits and monitoring of drone capabilities, deployment areas, and operational activities. She said the government must ensure that such equipment is used only for the protection of critical national assets and not in ways that could fuel ethnic disagreements or territorial conflicts.

She also urged the Federal Government to create a transparent framework for community engagement, dialogue, and confidence-building among all ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta. According to her, this would help reduce suspicion and strengthen peaceful coexistence.

Speaking on national security, Mrs. Mene expressed dissatisfaction with what she described as a lack of adequate action by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu on the concerns being raised. 

She said she believes the Federal Government should carefully review the handling of such issues and ensure that national security institutions are fully capable of addressing emerging threats and preventing avoidable conflicts.

She concluded by calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure fairness, justice, and equal treatment for all ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta. She maintained that decentralizing pipeline surveillance, involving host communities in protecting their territories, and strengthening oversight of private security operations would promote peace, protect national unity, and safeguard the long-term security interests of Nigeria.