Tantita Will Not Be Intimidated — INC Western Zone Chairman Declares
By Passman Akpos
The Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Western Zone, Barr. Priye Noel Kuete, LLM, has reaffirmed that Tantita Security Services Limited will continue its operations across the Niger Delta region, including Ondo State, despite recent agitation.
Kuete made the assertion over the weekend while speaking with journalists at a private event in Akure, reacting to calls by some youths in Ikale, Okitipupa LGA, who have demanded the relocation of Tantita’s Ondo office.
He dismissed the calls as baseless distractions, describing them as deliberate attempts to undermine the security outfit’s crucial role in combating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities.
> “Tantita is a duly registered security outfit with a lawfully defined mandate. Its presence in Ondo State is legitimate and necessary,” he emphasized.
Kuete argued that the protest against Tantita’s headquarters location was a mere fabrication, stressing that CAMA 2020 grants every registered Nigerian business the right to operate or establish offices in any part of the country. He added that opposing this right amounts to infringing on fundamental human rights.
According to him, Tantita has been collaborating seamlessly with the Police, Army, Navy and other statutory security agencies, consistently delivering results since its inception.
While noting that he has not officially met the Ondo State Head of Operations, Mr. Idowu Asonja, he affirmed a clear understanding of Tantita’s operational scope under High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo).
Kuete further reiterated that Okitipupa lies within Ondo’s coastal belt, calling on critics to recognize the region’s geographic realities rather than stir unnecessary controversies.
He advised that anyone with grievances regarding Tantita’s operations should seek redress through lawful and institutional processes, noting that proven misconduct would be met with strict disciplinary measures.
The INC Chairman also addressed reports of an aide to Asonja dismissed over allegations of shielding illegal bunkering activities. He said the swift dismissal was justified and reflective of Tantita’s accountability and zero-tolerance for sabotage.
He called for the expansion of Tantita’s activities in Ondo State, stressing that such expansion would promote youth inclusion, reduce restiveness, and strengthen regional peace.
The interaction ended with Kuete reaffirming total support for Tantita’s continued presence in Ondo and the wider Niger Delta region, urging communities to cooperate in safeguarding national economic assets.
> “Tantita has come to stay. Its relevance to regional security and national economic protection cannot be overemphasized,” Kuete concluded.
