Tantita’s drones protect Nigeria, not used for ethnic conflict – stakeholders

By Egufe Yafugborhi & Ochuko Akuopha
ASABA — The Niger Delta Concerned Stakeholders for Accountable Security and Progress clarified that TANTITA Security Services’ surveillance drones are intended to strengthen the fight against oil theft and asset vandalism, not to provoke ethnic conflict.

Enisuo Oruomoni, speaking for the stakeholders, issued this clarification after some individuals and groups alleged that the drones would be used to support ethnic conflicts.

Oruomoni observed that illegal oil bunkering syndicates altered their tactics once drones started revealing vessels and illicit refineries “in real time” within the creeks.

He said, “TANTITA drones protect Nigeria, not target ethnic groups. The people of the Niger Delta welcome technology that curbs theft. The drones received approval from the federal government, not solely from TANTITA.”

“Every flight plan, coverage area, and operational data is shared with security agencies. The Nigerian state maintains control. The drones are part of Nigeria’s campaign against economic sabotage.”

“The real source of tension is crude theft, not surveillance. For decades, Niger Delta communities have endured conflict, displacement, and pollution because bunkering syndicates operate with impunity.”

Addressing ethnic concerns, he explained, “A drone does not ask ‘is this Ijaw land or Itsekiri land?’ It asks ‘is this an illegal vessel stealing Nigeria’s oil?’ Technology remains neutral. The drone’s adversary is the thief, not any ethnic group.”

Host communities reap the greatest benefits from drone surveillance, employing more than 20,000 youths from Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Isoko, Ogoni, Andoni, and Ilaje territories in control rooms.

We reject requests to ‘pause’ or ‘decentralise’ drones at the precise moment they are apprehending thieves. That would be akin to asking police to remove CCTV while