Itsekiri stakeholders, employees of Tantita, dissociate selves from Tenumah, say Abuja protest was misguided

The Concerned Itsekiri Stakeholders and Employees of Tantita Security Services, have dissociated themselves from a protest recently held in Abuja, rejecting claims made by Hon. Kingsley Tenumah and a few others, purporting to speak on behalf of the Itsekiri nation.

Fresh Angle International, can report that the position of the Concerned Itsekiri Stakeholders and Employees of Tantita Security Services, was made known in Warri, Delta State, Sunday June 22, during a media briefing.

Barr. Esimaje Awani, who addressed newsmen on behalf of the 1,400 Concerned Itsekiri Stakeholders and Employees of Tantita Security Services, said the Abuja protest, was misguided and a calculated act of sabotage, orchestrated by individuals with self-serving interests, “most of whom have failed the region in the past and are now desperate to regain relevance by attempting to undermine a proven and effective security architecture.”

A Cross Section of concerned stakeholders & employees of TANTITA Security Services, led by Barr. Esimaje Awani, during the peaceful protest

He emphasized: “As a renowned pressure group and unrelenting advocate for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta, we find it imperative to address recent developments that threaten to misrepresent the progress we have achieved in our communities—particularly the slanderous protest recently staged in Abuja.

“We, the undersigned, proudly represent the voices of over 1,400 Itsekiri sons and daughters gainfully employed by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a trail blazing indigenous security firm, under the leadership of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo).

“His visionary leadership has significantly contributed to peace building and the economic revitalization of the Niger Delta region.

“We categorically disassociate ourselves from the recent protest held in Abuja and reject the claims made by one Mr. Kingsley Tenumah Alias Afere and a few others purporting to speak on behalf of the Itsekiri nation.

“We unequivocally state that they do not represent us—not in voice, not in action, and certainly not in interest.

“This protest, in our view, was not only misguided, but a calculated act of sabotage orchestrated by individuals with self-serving interests, most of whom have failed the region in the past and are now desperate to regain relevance by attempting to undermine a proven and effective security architecture.

“The allegations made against Tantita Security Services are baseless, malicious, and outright fabrications designed to mislead the public, deceive the Presidency, and distract the National Security Adviser from the tangible gains we have made in curbing oil theft and restoring order in the creeks.

“Let the records speak: Mr Kingsley who has convened this mischievous protest in Abuja is a beneficiary of Tantita Security Service contract, infact he received his remuneration on the 19th of June 2025.

“His actions only buttress that his motives are malicious and full of mischief with intent to ferment trouble and unrest in our community.

“Tantita Security Services has employed thousands of youths across the Niger Delta, including over 1,400 Itsekiris, contributing directly to the reduction of crime, restiveness, and unemployment.

“The empowerment and security this initiative has brought to our people is unprecedented in modern history. We see in Tantita a beacon of hope, a stabilizing force, and a model for indigenous solutions to indigenous problems.

“We must remind Nigerians that similar hostile actions and internal betrayals in the past led to the exit of numerous reputable companies from our region—Texaco, Shell, Schlumberger, AGIP, Halliburton, McDermott, United Geophysical, Tidex, Raycon , Wilbros, Lamanaco, Westminster Dredging and others—leaving behind joblessness and economic despair.

“Today, with Tantita on ground, our youths are working, not fighting; they are securing infrastructure, not vandalizing it. Yes, there are ongoing inter-ethnic and land-related challenges across parts of the Niger Delta—this is not new.

“However, these issues should be addressed through dialogue and due process, not by undermining a security company that is lawfully operating under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and delivering results where others failed. It should be however noted that as Itsekiris, we do not support anyone taking an inch of lands belonging to Itsekiri and also not in support of any significant alterations that are detrimental to our existence as a people.

“Therefore, no one should hide under the issue of ward delineation or land related problems to render over 1,400 Itsekiris beneficiaries jobless without alternative employment. We assert again: We did not authorize any individual or group to protest on our behalf.

“Their actions are a betrayal of the collective progress and peace we have fought so hard to achieve. We call on: The Federal Government to continue supporting indigenous security frameworks like Tantita.

Solomon Dore, fielding questions from Newsmen

“The National Security Adviser to remain focused on facts, not propaganda. The Nigerian people and the international community to disregard the theatrics of a handful of opportunists.

“Tantita Security Services remains one of Nigeria's most successful and credible responses to crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and insecurity in the Niger Delta.

“Let us build, not break. Let us consolidate, not tear down. And above all, let us continue to champion peace, justice, and progress for the people of the Niger Delta.

Two employees of Tantita Security Services, Messrs Felix Oyibo and Solomon Dore, who spoke to newsmen during separate interviews, appealed to the Federal Government to allow Tantita continue with the pipeline surveillance job.

While Mr. Felix Oyibo, stated, "make dem leave TANTITA alone, make dem no take d Job I beg ooo”, Mr. Solomon Dore, asserted: “My name is Solomon Dore, a grandson of Paramount Chief Dore Numa. I have been employed under TANTITA Security Services for about four years now, the company is doing the job very well in protecting the oil and gas pipeline, both in the river and upland.

Felix Oyibo, answering questions from Newsmen

“I am appealing to President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser to continue the contract with TANTITA Security Services. TANTITA Boss, Chief Government Ekpemupolo is on ground, making sure the job is well executed. The company gave Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Kwale, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and other stakeholders the job to do. TANTITA is the best security company in the river.”

 The Concerned Itsekiri Stakeholders and Employees of Tantita Security Services, who staged brief peaceful protest, shortly after the media parley, carried banners with inscriptions such as, “We be Itsekiri, we nor send anybody go protest for Abuja”, “if una take the job from Tantita, una get another one to give us, wicked people” and “Over 1,400 Itsekiri beneficiaries cannot afford to be unemployed from Tantita”.

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