In the heart of Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, a quiet revolution is underway. It’s not being led by oil majors or government regulators—but by a security outfit with deep roots in the region and a bold mission to reclaim Nigeria’s crude oil lifeline from the grip of theft and sabotage.
That outfit is Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), and its impact is reshaping the nation’s energy narrative. This article is therefore the story of Tantita’s involvement in the current success story of national security arrangement as a non state player. As part of the guardians of the pipelines, this speccial report highlights Tantita’s overall role as part of the national network powering Nigeria’s oil comeback bid to reclaim its position as a major player in the international fuel supply chain, both within Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and beyond.
A close observer of this patriotic indigenous maritime security company, our editor, Eguono Odjegba, takes a look at Tantita’s striking efforts that has continue to compliment the roles of state regulators and the national security apparatus and its ripple effects on the nation.
From Crisis to Control: The Tantita Turnaround
For years, Nigeria’s oil production was crippled by rampant pipeline vandalism and crude theft, costing the country billions in lost revenue and investor confidence. In 2022, the federal government awarded Tantita a pipeline surveillance contract, tasking the firm led by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) -with restoring order to the chaos.
The results have been anything but impressive, bold and staggering. From inception until date over 702 illegal connection points and 1,784 illicit refinery sites have been uncovered.
Available records show that oil theft dropped by 79% between 2022 and 2023, while key pipelines returned to full operational status for the first time in years. Interestingly, Tantita’s grassroots engagement strategy leveraging local knowledge and community trust, proved more effective than conventional enforcement. For successive governments inclined to genuine desires to sustain the ray of hope, Tantita’s success also became a PPP blueprint for securing Nigeria’s energy infrastructure.
Eyes in the Sky: Drone Surveillance Takes Flight
In 2025, Tantita took its operations to new heights—literally—with the deployment of fixed-wing hybrid VTOL drones. These advanced surveillance tools offer additional channel in monitoring and surveillance capability.
It includes real-time aerial monitoring of pipelines and oil communities, rapid response capabilities in rugged terrain, and early detection of leaks and sabotage, reducing environmental damage.
This tech-forward approach complements Tantita’s boots-on-the-ground vigilance, creating a multi-layered defense system that’s both proactive and precise.
Economic Ripple Effects: From Oil Fields to National Revenue
