Legal practitioner Robinson Ariyo Esq. has urged the federal government to closely supervise the operations of private security companies in the Niger Delta region, following allegations of misconduct by Tantita Security.
“Whenever power is given to any person or organization, it must be checked,” Ariyo said.
Speaking on Nigeria Info's Morning Crossfire, Ariyo expressed concerns over the activities of Tantita Security, accusing the company of illegal detention and human rights violations in riverine communities. He revealed that he had received reports from victims who claimed to have been assaulted and unlawfully detained in a private cell run by Tantita.
Ariyo stated that it is not the responsibility of private security firms like Tantita to arrest individuals based on allegations, detain them for extended periods, or force them to perform menial tasks.
“It is not the business of Tantita to arrest a person on any allegation, detain the person for two months, and force them to do menial work,” Ariyo asserted. He further stressed that only law enforcement agencies have the authority to prosecute suspects, not private organizations.
Meanwhile, security expert Major Micah Polo has stressed the need for the Nigerian military to oversee the protection of critical government infrastructure in the Niger Delta, warning that reliance on private security firms could increase the risk of tribal conflict in the region.
Polo called for immediate policy reforms to address concerns over firms like Tantita Security, which have been accused of human rights abuses. He noted that private security companies could contribute to instability if allowed to operate unchecked.
While private firms can support military operations, Polo added that they should not replace the military’s role in safeguarding the nation’s critical assets.
Tantita Security, led by former Niger Delta agitator Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, was awarded a federal government contract to secure pipeline installations and combat oil theft in the region, which has severely affected the nation’s oil production.
Tantita security is yet to respond to the allegations.
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