Scores of demonstrators gathered on Wednesday at Nigeria’s National Assembly Complex, as lawmakers stepped up discussions on crude oil theft and pipeline security in the Niger Delta.
The protesters, operating under the Coalition of Civil Society for Economic Protection, marched to the legislative complex, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with messages such as “Oil thieves Are Conspiring Against Tantita” and “Say No to Oil Bunkering.”
Security operatives, including personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies, blocked them from entering the premises.
The demonstration comes at a time when the National Assembly is placing renewed focus on oil theft, an issue that has significantly reduced Nigeria’s crude output, drained government revenue, and worsened insecurity in oil-producing communities.
As part of ongoing efforts to tackle the problem, joint committees from the Senate and House of Representatives on petroleum resources are set to hold a parliamentary roundtable on pipeline security and strategies to curb crude oil theft.
Top government and security officials expected at the session include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, among others.
Also expected are key intelligence and defence figures, as well as stakeholders in the oil sector, including representatives of pipeline surveillance operations.
Speaking during the protest, the convener of the group, Tesleem Kolawole, urged lawmakers to objectively assess ongoing pipeline security initiatives and prioritise national interest.
He said, “We call on the lawmakers to sincerely and holistically look at the journey of Tantita from when they started securing the country to date, without fear or favour. They should examine the modus operandi of the contract and its primary aim to determine whether it has been successful or not.
“The conversation around pipeline surveillance must be guided by results, because when national assets are secured, the economy benefits, communities stabilise, and young people gain real opportunities.
“In that regard, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has become a visible part of a broader national effort that has helped restore confidence in pipeline security and crude oil production.”
Kolawole further noted that Nigeria’s crude oil production has rebounded significantly, reaching about 1.8 million barrels per day in November 2024, compared to previous lows of roughly 500,000 barrels per day before the engagement of pipeline surveillance firms in 2022.
“So our message here today is simple. This is not the time to weaken a framework that has helped restore production, support youth enterprise, improve education, and create alternatives to criminality.
“This is the time to strengthen accountability, improve coordination, and protect what is working. When a programme produces measurable gains in oil security, education, skills, agriculture, and youth engagement, the responsible thing is not disruption; it is consolidation.
“Therefore, we call for continuity, transparency, and support for every initiative that secures national assets while also lifting people. Tantita’s record, as publicly reported, shows that security and development can work together. That is the standard we should protect for Nigeria’s future,” he added.
Crude oil theft remains one of Nigeria’s most persistent economic challenges, with successive administrations adopting both military interventions and private surveillance contracts to tackle pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.
The outcome of the ongoing parliamentary engagement is expected to influence future policies aimed at protecting Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and boosting production.
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