By Warefa Pereke.
Sunday August 10, 2025.
ABUJA – A prominent political figure in the Niger Delta, Comrade Victor Warefa, has publicly commended Tantita Security Services Limited for its robust community engagement in the ongoing fight against crude oil theft.
While speaking to our correspondent in Abuja, Comrade Warefa lauded Tantita’s strategic approach, emphasizing its pivotal role in fostering local participation and achieving unprecedented successes in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic lifeline.
Comrade Warefa, a well-known voice in Niger Delta politics, highlighted that Tantita’s model, which prioritizes the inclusion of local communities, marks a significant departure from previous, often less effective, security strategies in the region. He noted that this approach is fundamental to building trust and achieving sustainable results against a sophisticated criminal enterprise.
“The issue of oil theft is deeply complex, rooted not just in criminality, but also in socio-economic dynamics within our communities,” Comrade Warefa stated. “For years, attempts to combat this menace often struggled because they lacked genuine local buy-in. Tantita, however, has fundamentally changed the game by putting communities at the heart of the solution.”
Comrade Warefa elaborated on the key reasons why Tantita’s robust community engagement deserves commendation: “By engaging and employing our youth and community members, Tantita has empowered them to become active stakeholders in protecting national assets that traverse their lands,” he explained. “This fosters a crucial sense of ownership and responsibility, transforming what was once seen as an external problem into a shared fight for their own future and environment.”
He emphasized saying: “The invaluable intelligence flowing from these communities is simply unmatched. Local people possess intimate knowledge of the creeks, the hidden routes, and the subtle signs of illegal activities. This real-time, ground-level information is critical for pre-empting theft and dismantling illicit operations, which is something external forces could never achieve alone.”
He further pointed out that where economic desperation might have sometimes led to complicity with criminals, Tantita’s provision of legitimate employment offers a viable alternative. “This robust engagement helps to reduce such complicity, promotes greater social cohesion, and contributes to overall peacebuilding in areas previously volatile due to illicit activities.”
Comrade Warefa said that the communities are the direct beneficiaries of a cleaner environment. When they are involved in curbing oil theft, they also become fervent protectors of their waterways and farmlands. “This bottom-up approach to environmental restoration is proving incredibly effective, as communities themselves are now champions of ecological sanity,” he added.
Comrade Warefa’s commendation reinforces statements from Tantita’s leadership, including Chief Godfrey Tare Pondi, the MD of Operations, who recently confirmed that “Local communities are standing in solidarity with us in the fight against oil theft.”
“Tantita’s robust community engagement is not just a strategic choice; it is a profound act of wisdom that recognizes the strength and potential of the people of the Niger Delta,” Comrade Warefa concluded. “It is paying off immensely, and it is a model that should be celebrated and sustained for the long-term benefit of our nation.”
