A prominent socio-political organisation in Nigeria’s South-South region has raised the alarm over ongoing efforts to suspend pipeline surveillance contracts awarded to local security firms in the Niger Delta, attributing the campaign to vested interests linked to oil theft networks.
The South South Initiative (SSI), in a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday, 12 February 2026, urged the federal government to resist calls for cancellation of the arrangements, describing them as vital to curbing crude oil theft and vandalism that have long plagued the oil-rich area.
Emmanuel Iriogbe, president of the SSI, told journalists that recent criticisms and allegations targeting the pipeline protection framework stem largely from misinformation spread by parties with ulterior motives.
He argued that these detractors include syndicates previously profiting from illegal bunkering and related criminal activities, whose operations have been severely disrupted by the current system.
News: Tinubu Inaugurates Committee To Establish Grid Asset Management
Iriogbe highlighted the positive impact of the community-driven approach introduced by the government, which engages indigenous firms familiar with the local terrain and host communities.
He specifically commended operators such as Tantita Security Services, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, and Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) for their role in the framework.
According to the group, the shift to involving local stakeholders has led to a marked decline in pipeline breaches, illegal refining, and overall oil losses, contributing to greater stability in the Niger Delta and bolstering national crude production.
The SSI emphasised that undermining these contracts risks reversing hard-won gains in security and economic recovery for the region. Iriogbe called on relevant authorities to disregard orchestrated campaigns and sustain the existing model, which he said aligns with broader efforts to protect critical national infrastructure.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of pipeline surveillance arrangements, with some stakeholders advocating for reforms or decentralisation to ensure broader participation. However, the SSI maintained that any abrupt suspension would play into the hands of oil theft syndicates seeking to restore their illicit influence.
