Northern Forum Raises ‘Concerns’ Over Navy’s Operations In Niger Delta

The Northern People’s Forum, led by Alhaji Saidu Bello and Comrade Saad Beli, has expressed concerns about the recent actions of the Nigerian Navy in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

The group emphasised the importance of protecting Nigeria’s economy, which heavily relies on the oil sector.

It said it was constrained to broadcast its worries because by implication any circumstance under which the main source of the Nigerian economy is affected will upset not only the Nigerian state but several ancillary units and services in the macro economic environment that are dependent on positive numbers from the nigerian economy

The Northern People’s Forum commended the efforts of Tantita Security Services Limited, which has played a crucial role in safeguarding pipeline assets through its advanced security, reporting, and management platforms.

The group highlighted the company’s success in using digital technologies to detect and report illegal activities in the Niger Delta, which had previously resulted in substantial crude oil losses.

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, was quoted by the group as expressing concern about the significant impact of oil theft on production numbers.

The group credited Tantita Security Services Limited with helping to reverse the decline in oil production and recover previously abandoned oil wells and facilities.

The group criticised the recent arrest of Tantita personnel by the Nigerian Navy and questioned the breakdown of inter-agency security collaboration.

They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, to intervene and ensure that the Nigerian Navy returns to its core responsibilities of protecting the nation’s maritime borders.

They also demanded for a new security template to include but not limited to pushing the Nigerian Navy in the oil rivers back to its primordial role in protecting interference in the nation’s marine blue line and to effect arrest of any illegal activities across the blue line that may emanate from inbound marine activities so as to allow other security agencies assigned to police the water ways do their jobs.

The Northern People’s Forum urged President Tinubu to extend the contract of Messrs Tantita Security Services Limited, acknowledging their significant contribution to optimising crude oil production levels.