NigerDelta Update

BREAKING: Ajetsibo, the brother of Tinubu’s close ally Ayiri Emami, has reportedly been arrested for drug trafficking in Lagos State 😳🚓💊

Social media is buzzing — what are your thoughts on this developing story? 👇

Follow up for more

Niger Delta Voices Demand Renewal of Tantita Contract Amid Fears of Resurgence in Oil Theft

As uncertainty looms over the renewal of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, critical voices from the Niger Delta are rising, warning of dire consequences if the deal is not signed without further delay. At the forefront is Comrade Sunday Torugbene, popularly known as Egberi Okuter 1 of the Niger Delta, who has made a passionate appeal to the federal government and the new Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to renew the contract handled by Tantita under the leadership of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo.

Torugbene, who spoke on behalf of communities across the riverine areas, praised the federal government for awarding the initial contract to Tompolo, calling it one of the most effective interventions in curbing rampant crude oil theft. According to him, the award of the surveillance contract to Tantita marked a significant turnaround in Nigeria’s oil production capacity.

"Before the contract was given to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, Nigeria’s oil production was at its lowest due to illegal bunkering,” he said. “The moment the contract was signed, everything changed. Oil theft reduced drastically, and production increased. No one else could have achieved that except Tompolo he commands respect and authority in the region.”

Illegal bunkering, which plagued oil-producing states for years, had become a deeply entrenched economic lifeline for many in the Niger Delta, Torugbene noted. He likened it to land sales in the hinterlands, where communities collect various fees as a form of local revenue. “Oil passes through our waterways and communities, yet for years, the people were left out of its benefits,” he said. “Illegal bunkering, though illegal, became a way of survival because the companies were giving us less than 30% in terms of value 🤔.”

However, he insisted that with Tompolo's influence and grassroots engagement, Tantita was able to reach the communities and offer them peace, stipends, and inclusion replacing sabotage with surveillance. “Everyone was carried along Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Kwale, Igbo all the tribes whose lands and rivers the pipelines pass through are beneficiaries of this contract,” he emphasized.

The activist expressed concern over the delay in renewing the contract due to petitions and political intrigues allegedly targeting Tantita's Managing Director, High Chief Kestin Pondi. “They were supposed to sign this contract months ago, but petitions have stalled it. The new NNPC MD is dragging his feet. If this delay continues, the government will have itself to blame,” Torugbene warned.

He stressed that no individual regardless of government power or private capability can maintain the peace or control oil theft like Tompolo. “There is no man born of a woman who can do this job except him. He is not just a contractor he is our traditional leader, our local president. He speaks, and the people listen.”

According to him, any attempt to reassign the contract could destabilize the fragile peace in oil-bearing communities. “If you give it to the wrong person who cannot manage the terrain or maintain dialogue with the communities, oil theft will return, production will drop, and conflict may erupt.”

The statement ends with a clear message to the federal government and NNPC: act swiftly, renew the contract, and preserve the gains made in the Niger Delta. “Let peace reign. If they refuse to sign this contract, they are inviting crisis. We are watching.”

Comrade Sunday Torugbene's message reflects the sentiments of many in a region where oil is both a blessing and a burden and where leadership by those who understand the terrain has proven more effective than years of state intervention.

Breaking: FCT Minister Wike and Rivers Governor Fubara Call Truce

In a major breakthrough for Rivers State, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara have officially ended their months-long feud — and pledged to work closely for the region’s progress.

The reconciliation was brokered by President Bola Tinubu during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on June 26, 2025. Both leaders emerged smiling and united, announcing an end to acrimony within their political family .

Wike emphasized that their differences are behind them:

> “We have all agreed to work together … there is no more acrimony.”

Fubara echoed the sentiment, hailing the day as a turning point:

> “Peace has returned in Rivers State … we will do everything within our power to sustain it this time.”

The truce was welcomed with celebrations in Port Harcourt, where the Rivers Women Unite Movement held a thanksgiving service, singing, dancing, and praising the national leaders for bringing a spiritual and political victory to the state .

Local voices, including an Ijaw chief from Delta State, lauded Tinubu’s role in the reconciliation, calling it a “Father-and-Son misunderstanding” that has finally been laid to rest .

**Why it matters:**

This signals the end of a deep political crisis that once led to a state of emergency and suspension of the governor's office

Restored executive-legislative harmony in Rivers promises renewed focus on governance, development, and community well-being

---

Stay tuned to NigerDelta Update for in-depth coverage on how this peace deal will influence governance, pipeline security, and grassroots unity across our region.

Share your thoughts below — what should be Governor Fubara and Minister Wike's next joint priority for Rivers?

Welcome to NigerDelta Update!

We’re excited to have you here!

This page is your trusted hub for authentic news, current events, and real stories from the heart of the Niger Delta. From Rivers to Bayelsa, Delta to Akwa Ibom, and beyond, we shine a light on the issues, voices, victories, and struggles that matter most to our region.

Expect regular updates on:
Breaking news
Development projects
Politics & governance
Environmental issues
Culture & community stories
Oil & gas sector highlights

Follow us, share our posts, and join the conversation. Let's keep the Niger Delta informed, united, and heard!