The Common Men Assembly (CMA) is a coalition of seasoned professionals drawn from diverse strategic sectors, including oil and gas engineering, pipeline integrity management, energy economics, maritime security operations, environmental risk assessment, and community conflict resolution within extractive regions.

Our membership includes experts with direct field experience in pipeline surveillance systems, asset protection architecture, crude oil logistics, and the socio-economic dynamics of host communities in the Niger Delta.

This position therefore reflects not merely a civic viewpoint, but a multidisciplinary technical assessment grounded in field realities, operational data, and national economic priorities.

Your Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

The Common Men Assembly (CMA), humbly addresses Your Excellency with a position informed by expanded technical evaluation, economic assessment, and extensive field observation regarding Nigeria’s oil infrastructure protection system, with particular reference to the operational model currently driven by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

This submission is not driven by sentiment or narrow advocacy. It is grounded in verifiable field outcomes, practical security realities, and the overriding need to protect Nigeria’s economic backbone.

PRE-TANTITA ERA: A PERIOD OF SYSTEMIC LOSS AND ECONOMIC STRAIN

Before the introduction of the current surveillance framework in August 2022, Nigeria’s oil sector was operating under severe distress.

Available industry data indicates that:

National crude oil production dropped to as low as 1.0 to 1.2 million barrels per day, far below Nigeria’s OPEC quota of about 1.8 million barrels per day

The country was losing an estimated 400,000 to 700,000 barrels per day to crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism

This translated to billions of dollars in annual revenue losses, severely impacting federal allocations and state finances

Nigeria, at a point, lost its position as Africa’s leading oil producer

In the creeks and waterways of the Niger Delta, illegal bunkering became deeply entrenched:

Hundreds of illegal refining sites operated openly

Crude evacuation through illegal barges and vessels became routine

Pipeline breaches were frequent and often left unattended for extended periods

The economic consequences were immediate and far-reaching:

Sharp decline in foreign exchange earnings

Increased fiscal pressure on government budgets

Rising debt exposure to cover revenue shortfalls

Reduced investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector

This period was not just a security failure, it was an economic emergency.

POST-TANTITA INTERVENTION: RESTORATION OF CONTROL AND CONFIDENCE

Following the engagement of Tantita Security Services, the trajectory began to change in measurable terms.

Within months of coordinated operations:

Oil production rebounded toward 1.5 to 1.7 million barrels per day

Reported crude oil theft volumes dropped significantly

Thousands of illegal refining sites were identified and dismantled

Surveillance presence across creeks and offshore corridors became more consistent and effective

Beyond raw numbers, the psychological shift was equally important:

Criminal networks lost operational confidence

Communities began aligning with lawful economic structures

Stakeholders regained trust in the system’s ability to function

The result has been:

Improved national revenue performance

Greater stability in budget projections

Renewed interest from investors and international partners

This transition from loss to recovery did not occur by coincidence, it reflects the impact of a coordinated and locally integrated security architecture.

TANTITA: A SECURITY FRAMEWORK THAT EVOLVED INTO A STABILISING SYSTEM

Under the leadership of High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo and Engr. Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi, the operational structure of Tantita has grown beyond the scope of a conventional contractor into a coordinated stabilisation mechanism within the Niger Delta.

What distinguishes this system is the rare fusion of disciplined command structure, local intelligence integration, and community-level acceptance.

From a technical standpoint, this has been driven by:

A clearly defined and enforceable command hierarchy

Continuous intelligence flow sourced directly from host communities

Rapid intervention capabilities across land and maritime environments

Deep operational familiarity with difficult terrain

Structured inclusion of previously disruptive elements into formal surveillance architecture

One of the most impactful dimensions of this model is its employment structure. The system has created over 20,000 direct opportunities, alongside a broader indirect engagement network, effectively converting thousands of previously vulnerable youths into active stakeholders in national asset protection.

MEASURABLE IMPACT ON NATIONAL OUTPUT AND SECTOR CONFIDENCE

Since implementation, observable outcomes include:

1: Recovery of crude oil production toward stable levels 2: Decline in pipeline vandalism across major corridors 3: Disruption of organised crude oil theft operations 4: Reduction in illegal maritime evacuation activities

These gains translate into:

Increased government revenue

Improved fiscal stability

Strengthened investor confidence

COMMUNITY-INTEGRATED SECURITY MODEL

The current framework has established a community-linked security system through:

Large-scale youth engagement

Reintegration of former illegal operators

Direct collaboration with community leadership structures

Shared ownership of national assets

This has reduced hostility and improved cooperation across the region.

MULTI-DIMENSIONAL IMPACT BEYOND SECURITY

Economic Inclusion

Job creation at scale

Growth of local enterprise participation

Reduction in crime incentives

Environmental Protection

Shutdown of illegal refining operations

Reduction in oil spill incidents

Protection of ecosystems

Conflict Reduction

Mediation across communities

Reduced tensions over resource control

Improved trust between citizens and authorities

Security Collaboration

Intelligence sharing

Monitoring of critical corridors

Prevention of organised theft

PIPELINE SECURITY AS A CORE ECONOMIC PRIORITY

Pipeline security must be treated as a central economic variable.

Disruptions lead to:

Revenue losses

Reduced production capacity

Higher operational costs

Damage to international credibility

Security decisions in this sector are, in effect, economic policy decisions.

SYSTEMIC RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DECENTRALISATION

A fragmented system is likely to:

Intensify community disputes

Weaken coordination

Increase internal conflicts

Expose infrastructure to sabotage

Such conditions historically enabled oil theft networks to flourish.

ADVISORY TO THE PRESIDENT

We respectfully advise:

Resist pressure driven by sectional interests

Prioritise evidence-based decision-making

Strengthen systems delivering measurable results

Maintain structured institutional oversight

STRATEGIC CAUTION

Altering the current structure may result in:

Return of large-scale oil theft

Renewed community conflicts

Decline in production

Economic instability And

Environmental degradation

FINAL WORD

The current system has delivered measurable stability and economic improvement.

Nigeria must not abandon a working model. Nigeria must protect proven results. Nigeria must prioritise national interest over competing pressures.

Signed:

Chief Jude Angodideke Chairman, Common Men Assembly (CMA)

Mr. Miepekumo Brialade Secretary General, Common Men Assembly (CMA)

Engr. Duopayoebiyo Akemotubo Spokesman/PRO (CMA)

20th October, 2025.

The Chairman

Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)

Headquarters

FCT-ABUJA

Dear Sir,

AN OPEN LETTER: A WAKE UP CALL TO EFCC ON DELTA STATE’S MISSING N1.3 TRILLION 13% OIL DERIVATION FUNDS

This open letter arises from the continued silence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the N1.3 trillion of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission’s (DESOPADEC) funds that was unlawfully diverted by the former governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, during his eight year tenure (2014–2023).

It would be recalled that the Mr. Ola Olukoyede-led EFCC had through its Port Harcourt Directorate operatives arrested the former governor in November 2024 over the alleged diversion of the N1.3 trillion, being proceeds of the 13 per cent derivation fund that accrued to the State during his eight-year tenure. In addition to this, was another unaccounted N40 billion he used to acquire shares in one of the major banks in the country representing eight per cent equity to float the offshore UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

Prior to Okowa’s arrest, representatives of oil and gas producing communities in the State, precisely on Thursday, June 22, 2023, beseeched the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja in protest against the alleged misappropriation of the 13 per cent oil derivation fund by Okowa that belongs to the oil bearing communities and was meant for its rehabilitation and development. The said N1.3 trillion was from the 50% per cent legally prescribed allocation to DESOPADEC from the 13 per cent oil derivation fund, which the governor, through a holding account, utilised to deprive the oil-bearing communities.

During our protest, we submitted a copy of our petition on the issue to the EFCC, as was signed by representatives of the various ethnic nationalities among whom are: Chief Mulade Sheriff (representative of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality); Matthew Itsekure (Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality); Mr Osita Ijoma/Patience. A Ego (Ndokwa Ethnic Nationality); Mark Ikpuri (Urhobo Ethnic Nationality); and Chief John Etenero (Isoko Ethnic Nationality).

For the records, we would like to also state that Okowa’s premeditated action to siphon DESOPADEC’s funds began when, as governor, stampeded the State House of Assembly to change the law setting up the Commission through an executive bill which was read, deliberated on and passed in a single day, in August 2018 to deliberately include his communities as hosts in the commission.

We had appealed to the anti-graft agency to conduct a comprehensive probe of the former governor’s administration, particularly the 13 per cent oil derivation funds that accrued and were disbursed to the State between 2015 and 2023 when Okowa was governor. Unfortunately, after his (Okowa’s) arrest and release, nothing has been heard about the EFCC’s investigation. The world is watching!

We would like to remind the anti-graft agency that Deltans and Nigerians are interested to know what the outcome of its investigations are. The comment from the accused that the petition against his alleged diversion of the N1.3 trillion is politically motivated is laughable. It is an attempt to divert attention from the main issue at stake. This money is meant to develop the oil producing communities in Delta State that continue to suffer neglect of infrastructures and compensation for the loss of fishing rights among others.

The EFCC’s continued silence calls for concern, particularly from the oil bearing communities who are the victims of this cruelty by Okowa. The EFCC’s silence has prompted us to raise some likely questions such as:

i.) Is it because the sitting governor, Chief (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), that is why the EFCC has compromised or halted their investigations?

ii.) Is it because there was an assignment to the former governor that if he could be able to woo the Delta State government to join the APC, then his ‘sins’ would be forgiven? It seems that it is a slogan that when you join the APC, your sins are forgiven!

iii) What message is the EFCC’s silence or inaction on the missing funds sending to Deltans and Nigerians? Are they encouraging others to loot, so that when they finish looting, they can move to the ruling party at the federal level and go scot-free? Is it a precedent that EFCC wants to set for Nigerians for the next generation to follow?

v) Is it a confirmation and truth that EFCC is a barking dog without teeth to bit because of political interference said by former President Olusegun Obasanjo?.

Quoting Olorogun Stephen K. Dieseruvwe from Bradford City, UK, “Without gainsaying, the utilization of the 13% Derivation Fund is meant for the development of oil producing communities. Based on the DESOPADEC Law, the state withholds 50%, and the other 50% meant for DESOPADEC was not fully disbursed in the eight years of Governor Okowa. It should be made abundantly clear that the governors in receipt of the 13% Derivation Fund, by law, do not have the right or prerogative to utilize the funds as they deem fit. If they do so, it will amount to misappropriation and mismanagement of the fund specifically meant for the development of oil producing communities. Without the oil exploration and exploitation from those communities, Delta State wouldn’t be one of the beneficiaries of the 13% Derivation Fund and would only be stuck with the statutory allocation component of FAAC allocations. It is unjust and inhuman to deprive oil producing communities of their rightful entitlement.”

Let me strongly appeal and charge the current EFCC leadership under Mr Olukayode to emulate the good legacies of former chairman Nuhu Ribadu who is currently enjoying Nigerians good will as National Security Adviser (NSA) under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

We are therefore calling on the EFCC to wake up to its responsibilities as an anti-graft agency. This is a wake up call to the EFCC to act.

A stitch in time, they say, saves nine!

Signed:

Chief (Comrade) Mulade B. Sheriff, PhD

(The Ibe-Sorimowei of Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom,

Delta State).

IJAW YOUTH COUNCIL (IYC), WESTERN ZONE

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone has raised an alarm of the Warri Area Command allegedly conniving with the Itsekiri ethnic nationality to oppress Ijaws in the city.

The alarm is sequel to the removal of banners bearing the image of HRM King Couple Oromoni, the Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, by Itsekiri youths, in company of police officers from the command.

The development sparked protests by Ijaw youths, who marched to the Area Command demanding the retrieval of the banners and their immediate replacement.

Reacting to the incident, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone, in a statement signed by the trio of Nicholas Tamaradenyefa Igarama – Chairman, Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo – Secretary, and Tare Magbei – Information Officer, accused the police of abetting to falsehood and threat to peace in Warri.

The Council fingered the Olu of Itsekiri – Ogiame Atuwatse III and the Warri South Council Chairman- Agbateyiniro Isaac Weyinmi, as masterminds of the condemnable act it described as a decoy to cause war.

“The attention of the Ijaw Youth Council has been drawn to an incident of police officers attached to the Warri Area Command conniving with the Itsekiri ethnic nationality to remove banners bearing the image of HRM Couple Oromoni, the revered king of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom.

“This condemnable act is masterminded by one Wayemi Agas, the Warri South Council Chairman, who perpetrated the act on the others of the Itsekiri hierarchy.

“As peace-loving and law-abiding citizens, we view this action as a direct provocation and a calculated attempt to ignite ethnic tension in Warri. The removal of our king’s image is not only an insult to the Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom but also a violation of the fragile peace that stakeholders have struggled to sustain in the area.

“We call on the Delta State Government, security agencies, and well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Warri South Council Chairman and the Itsekiri leadership to desist from further acts capable of undermining peace.

“The Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom has consistently maintained peaceful relations with its neighbors, despite repeated provocations. We will not be forced into conflict, but no one should mistake our commitment to peace as weakness. Any further attempt to desecrate the image or authority of our traditional ruler will be met with stiff resistance.

“We demand a public apology from those responsible and clear assurance from the Warri Area Command that such partiality and connivance will not be repeated.”

Signed

Comrade Nicholas Igarama – Chairman

Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo, Esq. – Secretary

Comrade Tare Magbei
Information Officer

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