By Favour Bibaikefie

A coalition of Niger Delta civil society organisations and youth groups has cautioned the National Assembly against what it described as “sponsored attacks and blackmail” allegedly orchestrated by oil theft cartels to discredit pipeline surveillance contractors operating in the region.

The groups, numbering about 20 and drawn from different ethnic and socio-political blocs in the Niger Delta, issued the warning in an open letter addressed to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The organisations, which include the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF), Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI), Third Phase Leadership Forum of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Niger Delta Progressive Youth (NDPP), Itsekiri Nation Youth Forum (INYF), Urhobo Youths Coalition (UYC), Bayelsa Youth Network, Rivers Youth Coalition Forum (RYCF), Edo People Assembly (EPA), and Warri Peace Forum (WPF) among others, urged federal lawmakers to carefully scrutinise allegations against Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and Maton Engineering Company.

According to the coalition, recent criticisms and petitions against the companies may be part of a deliberate attempt by oil theft syndicates to weaken ongoing efforts to protect Nigeria’s oil infrastructure in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

In the letter jointly signed by the groups, the organisations argued that the engagement of the private surveillance firms by the Federal Government followed years of severe economic losses caused by rampant crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

The groups maintained that since the introduction of the current surveillance architecture involving the firms, crude oil theft has reportedly declined while production levels have witnessed noticeable improvement.

They also stressed that the operational model adopted by the surveillance companies incorporates host community participation through employment, stakeholder engagement, intelligence gathering, and grassroots collaboration with youths and community leaders.

Beyond security operations, the coalition noted that the activities of the firms have generated economic opportunities across the region by creating jobs in security services, logistics, engineering support, and local contracting.

According to the groups, the companies have also implemented corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at empowering youths and women through skills acquisition programmes while supporting local businesses in host communities.

The coalition further warned that dismantling or weakening the present surveillance structure could create a vacuum that might be exploited by organised oil theft networks operating in the creeks.

They argued that past strategies adopted by the government — including purely community-based arrangements and heavy military deployments — failed to deliver sustainable results, stressing that the current model appears to be yielding better outcomes.

The groups therefore appealed to the National Assembly to focus on policies and oversight that strengthen peace, security, and economic stability in the Niger Delta rather than giving credence to what they described as unfounded allegations.

Signatories to the letter include Ijaw Women Rights’ Protection Forum, Delta Mega Youth for 2027, Isoko Youth Network (IYN), Ijaw Women in Politics and Culture for Development, Ijaw Women for Change (IWC), Nigeria Progressive Youth Alliance (NPYA), Cross River Justice League (IJL), Ondo Ijaw Justice Front (OIJF), Akwa Ibom Youth Stakeholders’ Network (AISN), and the Niger Delta Agitators for Equitable Development Forum (NDAEDF).

The groups said they expect the National Assembly to carefully evaluate the facts surrounding the matter and ensure that efforts aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s oil resources are not undermined by vested interests.

By Favour Bibaikefie

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Deputy Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Benjamin Elue, describing his passing as a monumental loss to the South-South region and Nigeria at large.

In a condolence letter signed by its National Chairman, Amb. (Dr.) Godknows Boladei Igali, the leadership of PANDEF said it received the news of Elue’s demise “with shock and grief,” noting that although he lived to the age of 85, his exit remains painful.

“The Board of Trustees and National Executive Council of PANDEF has received with shock and grief, news of the death of the former Deputy Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Benjamin Elue,” the statement read. “Although he attained the age of 85 years, we nonetheless mourn his irreplaceable exit at this material time.”

PANDEF extolled the late statesman’s character and contributions to public life, describing him as a man who embodied integrity, diligence and deep faith.

“During his earthly sojourn Chief Elue displayed the highest and finest virtues of humankind. In his private and public conduct, he has left behind a legacy of integrity, fear of God, hardwork and diligence,” the Forum stated.

Reflecting on his tenure as Deputy Governor during the administration of Chief James Ibori, PANDEF credited Elue with strengthening governance and fostering development in Delta State.

“While he served Deputy Governor of Delta State… he [was a] great bedrock for political stability and dependable support for socio-economic development. The humility and maturity which he brought into governance became an exemplar for all of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large,” the statement noted.

The regional body further lamented that “the entire South-South geopolitical zone has indeed lost one of its most illustrious and resourceful citizens,” underscoring the late leader’s far-reaching impact beyond Delta State.

Drawing comfort from scripture, PANDEF added: “We are comforted by the assurance that ‘to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord’ (2 Corinthians 5:8). Herein lies our shared faith.”

See attached copy of Condolence Letter.

The Forum extended its condolences to the Elue family, the people of Aniocha North Local Government Area, and the government and people of Delta State, praying that his soul finds eternal rest.

Benjamin Elue’s passing marks the end of an era in Delta State politics, with tributes continuing to pour in from across the Niger Delta and beyond.

* Over 2,000 Bibles Distributed at the Event

By Divine Perezide,

Lagos, Nigeria – Concerned mothers from the Niger Delta region have gathered in Lagos for a special spiritual deliverance prayer service, seeking divine intervention for the governors of the region. The event, tagged the “Niger Delta Governors Spiritual Deliverance Service Day,” is currently taking place at the Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG) Office.

Organized by the National Coordinator of the Ijaw Monitoring Group, Comrade Joseph Evah, the prayer service aims to seek divine guidance and wisdom for the governors of the Niger Delta states, including Senator Duoye Diri (Bayelsa State), Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo State), Bassey Otu (Cross River State), Sen. Monday Okpebholo (Edo State), and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State).

Speaking at the event, Evah emphasized the need for visionary leadership in the region, drawing inspiration from past governors who championed development. “We are inspired by the legacy of the region’s founding governors, such as HRM Alfred Diete-Spiff, Chief Udokobo Jacob Esuene, and Chief Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, who drove development and industrialization in the region in the nascent days of Nigeria,” he said.

IduwiniVoice staff correspondent Tama Perety reports that over 2,000 Bibles were distributed during the service. The prayers focused on asking for economic wisdom and a patriotic spirit among the current governors, as the region faces severe challenges, including economic hardship, insecurity, and environmental degradation.

Evah and the participating mothers expressed their hope that the spiritual exercise would inspire the governors to take bold steps in addressing the issues plaguing the Niger Delta. Quoting from the event’s advertorial, Evah stated, “A mother’s prayer is the solution to her children’s predicament.”

The organizers remain optimistic that the prayers of the mothers will bring about a positive transformation in the region’s leadership, ultimately leading to development and prosperity for the Niger Delta.