Tantita Workers Issue 14-Day Ultimatum Over Unpaid Salaries, Threaten Unrest By CreekMan

Porthacourt, Nigeria – Disengaged workers of Tantita Security Services Ltd., alongside youths from oil pipeline host communities in Bayelsa State, have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria, demanding payment of unpaid salaries and reinstatement to their former roles. The ultimatum, announced on October 1st, 2024, follows 10 months of unpaid wages and widespread dismissals of workers who were originally hired to protect oil pipelines in the Niger Delta.

The workers have accused the Bayelsa State Coordinator for Tantita Security, Joshua Maciver, of withholding salaries and refusing to rehire workers, despite their ongoing efforts to resolve the issue. In an open letter circulating on social media, the aggrieved workers outlined their grievances and demanded immediate intervention from the Federal Government, the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the management of Tantita Security, including Tompolo, the leader of the company.

The pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security in 2022 was intended to protect critical national assets and provide jobs for local youths in the Niger Delta. However, the contract has faced scrutiny following reports of inconsistencies and mismanagement. In May 2024, a civil society group, the Center for Socio-economic Rights and Justice, raised alarms over the handling of the contract, particularly the growing tension between Tantita management and workers.

Key Grievances

The disengaged workers claim that despite multiple complaints, their concerns have been ignored by Tantita’s management. The letter, addressed to the Presidency and NSA, outlined the following issues:

Unpaid Salaries: Workers have not been paid for over 10 months, creating financial hardship for many.

Disengagement: Local youths who were engaged to protect oil pipelines in Bayelsa have been laid off without explanation, leaving the pipelines vulnerable to vandalism.

Lack of Response: Efforts to reach Tantita management, including Maciver and Tompolo, have gone unanswered, further fueling frustration among the workers.


The workers warn that if their demands are not addressed within 14 days, they will be forced to take action, potentially returning to the creeks in protest. They have also stated that any unrest or vandalism in the region should be attributed to the mismanagement of the contract and the dismissal of the workers.

Ultimatum to FG and NSA

In their statement, the workers called on the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Presidency to step in and address their grievances before the situation escalates. They are requesting:

1. Immediate Payment of their outstanding salaries.


2. Re-engagement of the dismissed workers to continue their roles in pipeline protection.


3. Government Intervention to ensure that Tantita’s management addresses their concerns.


The workers warned that failure to act within the given timeframe would result in “serious consequences” and that they would exercise their “constitutional right” to protest, which could disrupt security in the region.

Potential Impact

The ultimatum comes at a critical time for the Niger Delta, where tensions remain high due to economic challenges and ongoing security issues. The disengaged workers’ warnings of potential unrest, combined with the vulnerability of oil pipelines to vandalism, have raised concerns about the stability of the region and the potential impact on Nigeria’s oil production.

Observers have noted that the situation could escalate if not swiftly addressed, as the disengaged workers have indicated a willingness to return to militant activities if their demands are not met. The Federal Government is now under pressure to resolve the matter to prevent further instability in the oil-rich region.

This latest development highlights the challenges surrounding the implementation of pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta, where community engagement, job creation, and security intersect with Nigeria’s critical economic interests.