Oil-Theft War In Trouble? JTF Houseboat Contractors Cry Over 33 Months Of Alleged Unpaid Bills As Maintenance Crisis Threatens Niger Delta Operations

By Passman Akpos

PORT HARCOURT — Nigeria’s much-publicised war against crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta is facing an uncomfortable question: what happens when the boats being used to fight oil thieves can no longer remain operational because their contractors say they have not been paid for 33 months?

That question is now playing out before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, where three indigenous houseboat contractors are pursuing claims over alleged outstanding rental payments relating to vessels deployed for security operations in the Niger Delta.

The dispute involving Peaches Integrated Services Limited, Etucom Integrated Services Limited and Godsam Industrial Services Limited has moved beyond a conventional commercial disagreement, with the contractors and their workers warning of serious consequences if the vessels cannot be properly maintained and kept operational.

The plaintiffs are seeking to compel the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, to address the alleged outstanding obligations.

33 MONTHS: WHO IS PAYING FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST OIL THEFT?

According to the contractors’ claims, their houseboats have been deployed in military operations for approximately 33 months while rental payments allegedly remain outstanding.

The development has reportedly placed the affected companies under severe financial pressure.

Workers have also protested over alleged unpaid salaries and the growing burden of supporting their families.

The emerging controversy raises a fundamental question for Nigeria’s oil-producing region:

Can the country effectively fight oil theft if the private-sector logistics supporting the security operation are themselves struggling to survive?

“A GROUNDED BOAT MEANS A GROUNDED SURVEILLANCE TEAM”

Security expert Mr. Owunari Otozi, speaking with Niger Delta Voice, warned that the issue should not be treated merely as a disagreement over money.

According to Otozi, the houseboats are operational platforms that enable security personnel to remain within the difficult network of creeks and waterways where oil theft and maritime crimes occur.

«“The House boats are not luxury items; they are floating operational bases for military personnel tasked with securing the creeks and waterways from the very oil thieves that have crippled Nigeria’s oil production.”»

Otozi warned that if contractors are unable to maintain the vessels or are compelled to withdraw them because of the financial dispute, security operations could be affected.

«“This creates a power vacuum that illegal bunkerers are all too ready to exploit. The war on oil theft is fought not just with rifles and intelligence, but with logistics.”»

He added:

«“A grounded boat means a grounded surveillance team, an unpatrolled pipeline, and a free pass for economic saboteurs.”»

THE PARADOX: FIGHTING OIL THIEVES WHILE CONTRACTORS CLAIM THEY ARE OWED

The controversy comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s continuing efforts to protect crude oil infrastructure, increase production and combat illegal refining and crude theft across the Niger Delta.

Yet, the houseboat dispute presents an uncomfortable paradox.

If the contractors’ allegations are ultimately established, questions could arise over how critical operational assets were deployed for such an extended period without the associated financial obligations being resolved.

For the contractors, the consequences are immediate.

For their workers, alleged salary arrears mean mounting household pressures.

And for security operations, the concern is whether vessels requiring maintenance can continue functioning indefinitely without adequate financial support.

COURT GIVES ROOM FOR SETTLEMENT

At Monday’s proceedings, Justice Stephen Pam adjourned the case until October 22, 2026, to allow room for a possible amicable settlement.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Reuben Wanogho, told the court that the Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, had requested a settlement proposal.

However, counsel to the first defendant, I.K. Diri, reportedly told the court that he was unaware of the proposed settlement.

The conflicting positions have added another layer to the dispute as the parties head towards the October hearing.

CONTRACTORS TURN TO TINUBU

The affected contractors and their workers are now appealing to President Bola Tinubu to intervene.

They argue that the dispute should be resolved before the situation deteriorates further, particularly because the vessels are connected to operations aimed at protecting the country’s strategic oil infrastructure.

Their immediate hope is that the October 22 proceedings will produce a settlement framework capable of resolving the alleged arrears, facilitating necessary maintenance and allowing the affected vessels to return to service where required.

THE BIG QUESTION FOR NIGERIA

The dispute leaves Nigerians with a difficult question:

If the vessels deployed to fight oil thieves are grounded because contractors say they have gone unpaid for 33 months, who ultimately bears the cost — the contractors, the workers, the military, or the Nigerian economy?

And perhaps an even bigger question

Can Nigeria win the war against oil theft without first fixing the logistics chain supporting the war?

As the case returns to court on October 22, attention will be focused not only on the alleged financial obligations but also on whether the dispute can be resolved before operational assets become casualties of a prolonged payment battle.

The Niger Delta creeks remain active. The pipelines remain vulnerable. And the question of who pays for the boats protecting them is now before the court.