NIGER DELTA RIFT: DAVID OSIA DEMANDS END TO ATTACKS ON TOMPOLO, TANTITA
“Tantita Has Come to Stay” — Osia Calls for Dialogue, Evidence-Based Claims and an End to Social Media Warfare”
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Global Egberi TV Ofunama
OFUNAMA — September 18, 2026
Global Egberi TV Ofunama has received a message from Hon. David Osia, former Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor and a Niger Delta stakeholder, calling on former agitators, youth leaders, community stakeholders and other concerned persons to immediately sheathe their swords and embrace dialogue over the continuing disagreements surrounding High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as GOC Tompolo, and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
Osia’s intervention comes against the backdrop of public criticisms and disagreements concerning Tompolo and the operations of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
He specifically appealed to former Niger Delta commanders and stakeholders involved in the controversy, including High Chief Dr. Bibopre Ajube, popularly known as General Shoot-at-Sight, General Boyloaf (Victor-Ben Ebikabowei), Jude Gbaboy, Comrade Daniel Ezekiel, Fejiro Oliver and Yemi Otuedon, among others, to pursue dialogue rather than allow disagreements to degenerate into personal confrontation.
According to Osia, the Niger Delta has endured decades of militancy, insecurity, environmental degradation, youth unemployment and political marginalisation. He warned that the region should not allow disagreements over economic opportunities, oil-sector participation or pipeline surveillance arrangements to reopen old wounds.
“Tantita has come to stay. If anybody has concerns about the company, its operations or the distribution of pipeline surveillance opportunities, let those concerns be presented before the appropriate authorities. Personal attacks, media wars and accusations will not solve the problems of the Niger Delta.”
DISPUTES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES
Osia maintained that Tantita is now an established indigenous security company operating within the Federal Government’s pipeline-surveillance framework.
He said disagreements concerning the company’s operations or the participation of other indigenous companies should be addressed through lawful and institutional channels rather than personal confrontation.
He urged stakeholders who believe that pipeline surveillance should be decentralised or expanded to accommodate more indigenous companies to present their proposals to the Federal Government, NNPCL and other relevant institutions.
“Everybody has the right to make a case for participation in the oil and gas economy. But nobody should convert a business or policy disagreement into a personal war against Tompolo or Tantita.”
Osia also referenced High Chief Bibopre Ajube’s publicly stated position on the decentralisation of pipeline surveillance, noting that Ajube has explained that his position is not intended to undermine Tompolo or terminate Tantita’s existing arrangement.
He further pointed to Ajube’s public description of Tompolo as his leader as evidence, in his view, that there remains room for dialogue and reconciliation among former comrades.
“There is no disagreement that cannot be resolved when Niger Delta brothers sit down together with sincerity and respect.”
“LET US NOT TURN FORMER COMRADES INTO PERMANENT ADVERSARIES”
The former Edo State government aide appealed particularly to former Niger Delta agitators to remember the ideals that brought them together during the struggle for justice, resource control and development.
He warned against allowing present-day disagreements over economic and security arrangements to permanently divide people who were once united by a common cause.
Osia further stressed that allegations of wrongdoing should not be settled through social-media battles or personal attacks, but should instead be subjected to evidence, investigation and due process by the appropriate authorities.
“The issue is not whether anybody is above criticism. Nobody is above the law. The issue is that criticism must be constructive, evidence-based and directed through the proper channels.”
He also appealed to Jude Gbaboy, Comrade Daniel Ezekiel, Fejiro Oliver, Yemi Otuedon and others whom he said had been involved in social-media attacks to stop confrontations directed at Tompolo.
He called on parents, elders and family members of those involved to encourage restraint and peaceful engagement.
NIGER DELTA CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER CYCLE OF CONFRONTATION
Osia argued that the Niger Delta cannot afford another cycle of internal confrontation after the sacrifices and losses experienced during the years of militancy.
“Tompolo has sacrificed for this region. Whatever our differences may be, we must learn to appreciate the sacrifices made by our leaders and resolve disagreements peacefully. The Niger Delta does not need another cycle of internal confrontation.”
He called for the current debate to move beyond personalities and focus on the broader economic and security implications of pipeline surveillance in the region.
Osia also commended the involvement of Tantita’s management and field personnel in pipeline surveillance and community engagement, while simultaneously calling for continued accountability, professionalism and compliance with the law.
He acknowledged that supporters of Tantita have pointed to its contribution to pipeline protection, youth employment and community engagement, while critics have raised questions concerning aspects of its operations and called for greater scrutiny.
According to him, competing claims should be subjected to evidence, proper oversight and appropriate investigation rather than political, ethnic or personal confrontation.
“We cannot spend decades fighting for recognition and development, only to turn around and destroy ourselves because of disagreements over contracts and opportunities.”
CALL FOR A BROAD NIGER DELTA DIALOGUE PLATFORM
Osia called on former agitators, Tantita management, Niger Delta leaders, youth organisations, traditional rulers and government representatives to establish a constructive platform where genuine grievances can be tabled and addressed.
Addressing the stakeholders involved, he appealed to High Chief General Ajube, General Boyloaf and others participating in the ongoing conversation to choose peace in the interest of the Niger Delta.
“If there are genuine grievances, bring them to the table. If there are policy disagreements, take them to government. If there are allegations of wrongdoing, let the appropriate authorities investigate them. But let us stop the personal attacks, media warfare and name-calling. We are brothers from the same region, and our disagreement must not become the destruction of our collective future.”
Osia stressed that disagreement with Tompolo should not automatically translate into hostility towards him or Tantita, while maintaining that every individual and institution must remain subject to the law and legitimate public scrutiny.
He described the emergence of Tantita as part of the broader development of indigenous participation in Nigeria’s oil and gas security architecture.
“Tantita has come to stay. Whether anybody likes it or not, it is now part of the national conversation on pipeline surveillance and indigenous participation.”
He added:
“The way forward is not destruction; it is accountability, professionalism, dialogue and improvement.”
Osia urged the Federal Government and relevant agencies to maintain effective oversight and ensure that legitimate concerns raised by stakeholders are properly investigated.
He finally appealed to Niger Delta youths not to allow political, ethnic or economic disagreements among their leaders to divide the region.
“The Niger Delta needs peace more than ever. Let us disagree without becoming enemies. Let us compete without destroying one another. Let us demand justice without returning to violence.”
He concluded with a message directed at the wider region:
“Our future is bigger than any individual, company or contract.”
— Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Global Egberi TV Ofunama
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