05/07/2025
Tantita Security Services At The Forefront of Nigeria’s Fight Against Illegal Oil Bunkering
By Owudogu Tuetara Dave (Dave of Africa)
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, an indigenous security company owned by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and managed by High Chief Kestin Pondi, has emerged as a critical player in Nigeria’s fight against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Since the Federal Government engaged the company in 2022 to protect vital oil infrastructure, Tantita has delivered exceptional results across the Niger Delta.
Before Tantita’s intervention, Nigeria faced a deep crisis in its oil sector. Crude oil theft and illegal bunkering had driven production to historic lows, around 900,000 barrels per day, far below the nation’s OPEC quota. Billions of naira were being lost monthly through illegal activities in swamps, creeks, and offshore fields.
However, through a mix of local intelligence, field operations, and inter-agency collaboration, Tantita has helped raise daily production to over 1.5 million barrels, with some estimates reaching 1.8 million barrels per day.
Under the operational leadership of Managing Director High Chief Kestin Pondi, Tantita has uncovered and dismantled several high-level oil theft networks. Working closely with the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and other security agencies, the company has intercepted vessels, exposed illegal pipelines, and recovered stolen crude.
Among its high profile achievements was the interception of the MT VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS, a 77-meter-long vessel caught off the coast of Awoye, Ondo State, with over 500 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil. Similarly, MT Kali was seized at the Pennington Oil Field in Bayelsa and later forfeited to the federal government.
Another vessel, MT Harbor Spirit, was intercepted in the Segana oilfield, Bayelsa, carrying 88,000 litres of stolen crude. Additional ships, caught near Escravos, were destroyed in military supervised operations.
Beyond sea vessels, Tantita made critical breakthroughs on land. In Delta State’s Ogulagha area, the team discovered a secret underwater tap on Shell’s 48-inch Trans-Forcados Export Trunkline. The stolen crude was rerouted through a disused AGIP riser to vessels offshore.
Tantita also exposed 16 illegal connections on the Trans-Escravos pipeline and uncovered a 4-kilometre illegal line running from the Forcados Terminal. In total, the company discovered more than 58 illegal tap points across Delta and Bayelsa States—many of them highly sophisticated and undetected for years.
These efforts have not only disrupted oil theft operations but restored trust in the security of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure. Crude previously lost to theft is now entering legal export streams, contributing to economic stability and boosting national revenue.
Tantita’s community based model has also provided employment to hundreds of Niger Delta youths, reduced local criminal activity, and fostered stronger community ties. The company’s success has earned it national awards, including “Best Private Security Outfit in Nigeria,” and praise from top government and industry stakeholders.
As Nigeria continues working to protect its oil industry, Tantita stands out as a strong example of how private companies can help solve big national problems through local knowledge, teamwork, and effective action.
NigerDelta Insider
