In a significant endorsement of private security efforts in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye (OBA), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for the Ondo 2024 Elections, President of WeAfrica Limited, and CEO of Four Cardinal Oil and Gas and Clog Oils Systems, has donated a brand new 18-seater bus to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. This gesture comes amid growing acclaim for the security firm’s transformative impact on the once-volatile region.
Tantita Security, headed by High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, has garnered high praise from political and business leaders for its effective approach to combating oil theft and pipeline vandalism. Akingboye, in particular, has become a vocal supporter of the firm’s operations.
“The narrative of the Niger Delta has changed,” Akingboye declared, reflecting on the visible improvements in his home state of Ondo. He painted a vivid picture of the region’s recent past, where illegal crude oil, diesel, and bunkered oil were routinely transported through the Okitipupa and Irele axis, leaving a trail of destroyed infrastructure. “Today, thanks to Tantita Security, such illicit activities have been completely eradicated,” he stated.
Akingboye’s testimonial goes beyond mere rhetoric. He recounted personal observations of Tantita’s efficacy in curbing pipeline breaches in Ilaje LGA and Ese Odo, and halting illegal crude oil loading in Aiyetoro – areas once notorious for oil theft activities. The businessman turned politician didn’t mince words in attributing this success to Tompolo’s leadership and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s wisdom in entrusting the security contract to Tantita.
But Tantita’s impact extends beyond security. Akingboye highlighted the firm’s role in job creation, revealing that over 1,000 Ondo State youths have found employment with the security outfit. “This is not just about securing pipelines,” Akingboye emphasized. “It’s about securing futures.”
The SDP candidate’s praise wasn’t limited to Tompolo. He also commended Tantita’s Ondo State Coordinator, Chief Idowu Asonja, for his “remarkable progress and breakthrough” in the state. Feedback from residents in riverine areas, according to Akingboye, indicates a newfound peace that has allowed fishing activities – the economic mainstay of many communities – to thrive once again.
In a call for unity in the fight against crime, Akingboye urged all security agencies to view Tantita as a partner rather than a rival. He stressed the need for cooperation to achieve the shared goal of a safer Nigeria.
As the Niger Delta writes a new chapter in its history, the success of Tantita Security raises intriguing questions about the role of private security firms in national security frameworks. It also underscores the potential for local solutions to long-standing national challenges.
With his bus donation, Akingboye has put action behind his words of support. As Tantita continues its operations, all eyes will be on the Niger Delta to see if this new approach can provide a lasting solution to the region’s security challenges and pave the way for sustainable economic development.”
