Niger Delta youths, under the aegis of Niger Delta Centre for Justice and Accountability, NDCJA, have called for immediate termination of the pipeline surveillance contract.

The contract, aimed at checking oil theft, is being handled by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, TSSNL.

The youths also distanced themselves from recent comments by former Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, Worldwide President Udengs Eradiri, who defended the pipeline surveillance contract being handled by TSSNL.

NDCJA, in a statement released by Executive Director, Comrade Efe Justice, on Tuesday, described Eradiri’s position as self-serving propaganda designed to protect personal and vested interests.

The youths insisted that Eradiri does not speak for the Niger Delta people, noting that his views represent a narrow, self-interested perspective that overlooks the widespread suffering, economic sabotage and ongoing plunder of national resources that continue to afflict communities across the region.

“We have no affiliation whatsoever with Udengs Eradiri or the views he expressed in his recent interview. We distance ourselves completely from his assertions and reject the notion that critics of the Tantita contract are ‘enemies of Nigeria.’

“Such inflammatory language is a tired tactic used by those who benefit from the status quo to silence legitimate demands for accountability,” the Niger Delta youths said in the statement.

They chided Eradiri for allegedly acting as an apologist for what they described as a failed arrangement that continues to bleed the nation dry.

“Eradiri’s praise for Tantita ignores hard realities. Oil theft remains rampant, costing Nigeria up to $15 billion annually—hundreds of thousands of barrels per day disappearing into criminal networks.

“Recent discoveries of major illegal bunkering hubs, including in Abia State in early 2026, prove that the current model has not neutralised the threat.

“Criminals adapt, shift operations, and exploit gaps while the contract drains ₦48 billion of public money every year. If this is what Eradiri calls ‘success’ and ‘peace,’ then we are dealing with a dangerous delusion,” the statement added.

The youths observed that the pipeline surveillance contract has not eradicated oil theft but merely shifted its patterns. According to them, production gains are as a result of broader efforts, rather than the efforts of any singular entity.

They equally claimed that so-called thousands of jobs generated from the pipeline surveillance contract “often remain unevenly distributed, temporary, or tied to patronage networks, leaving widespread youth unemployment and community grievances unaddressed”.

To achieve lasting security and equitable benefits for the Niger Delta, NDCJA called for the complete decentralization of pipeline surveillance contracts.

The youths said decentralization would involve awarding separate, competitive contracts to different reputable companies in each oil-producing state, based on transparent bidding processes, verifiable track records in security and community engagement, and strict performance metrics.

They argued that such an approach would foster greater local inclusion, reduce the risks of favoritism or monopolistic control, and encourage innovation in surveillance techniques across diverse terrains and communities.

“Decentralization is not fragmentation but smart, inclusive security. By engaging multiple competent firms per state—selected through open, merit-based processes—we can ensure broader stakeholder participation, better intelligence gathering from host communities, and stronger deterrence against theft and vandalism.

“This model aligns with true federalism, promotes fiscal responsibility, and prevents any single entity from holding disproportionate influence over national assets.

“President Tinubu and well meaning Nigerians should ask Eradiri if there are no competent people in Bayelsa, where he is from, to handle pipeline surveillance contract for the state.

The Niger Delta youths urged President Tinubu conduct independent audit of existing contracts before any renewal or extension.

I have obtained an interim investigation report issued from the office of the Inspector-General of Police at the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja. The document examined allegations arising from a social media campaign that accused officers of the Rapid Response Squad/Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Awkuzu, Anambra State, of serious abuses, including extrajudicial killings and organ harvesting.

The report, signed by Idris Abdullahi Abubakar, was circulated internally to senior police leadership for action, but was never made public neither was action taken against the policemen.

The case is linked to Suit No. FHC/AWK/60C/2023 before the Federal High Court in Awka.

According to court records:

Whistleblower Nnamdi Daniel Emeh was granted bail on May 17, 2023 by Justice F. O. Riman (now late).

His bail conditions were perfected in May 2024, and a release order was signed by Justice S. M. Shuaibu.

Despite this, the police obtained an ex parte motion blocking his release, and he has remained in custody ever since.

Although the report appears to attempt to minimize the allegations against these officers, it nonetheless identifies serious misconduct, egregious acts involving three officers of the Awkuzu unit: CSP Patrick Agbazue, SP Nkeiruka Nwode (popularly known as “Ruka”), and Inspector Harrison Akama.

The report acknowledges that at least eleven suspects died in police custody between ,, with the deaths classified as “sudden and unnatural.” It also revealed that the Awkuzu unit failed to maintain mandatory police records, including cell registers, crime diaries, station diaries, and prisoner lock-up registers—failures that investigators said made accountability and oversight extremely difficult.

Rather than focus on these findings, the investigation centered heavily on the role of Nnamdi Emeh, who had previously served as a corps member attached to the unit in an IT capacity. According to the report, Emeh allegedly had access to sensitive operational information and later used that access to launch a social media campaign accusing officers of grave crimes.

Police traced the dispute to the arrest of a suspect identified as Chibuike Ekweme, also known as “Temple,” described as a gun runner and suspected member of IPOB/ESN. During that investigation, Emeh reportedly handled the suspect’s mobile phones for forensic analysis. The report alleges that instead of conducting legitimate analysis, he hacked the device and arranged the transfer of ₦36 million from the suspect’s account to a bureau-de-change operator, allegedly retaining ₦4 million for himself before fleeing.

Following the incident, police arrested several individuals linked to the transaction, including a bureau-de-change operator and a bank employee. They were charged with conspiracy and murder and remanded at the Onitsha Correctional Centre, though their families later claimed they could not determine their whereabouts after the arrests.

Emeh subsequently began publishing allegations online accusing officers of the Awkuzu unit of extrajudicial killings and organ harvesting. The posts circulated widely on social media platforms, including Gistlover, prompting eighteen complaints from members of the public alleging brutality and misconduct by officers of the unit.

While the report rejected the allegation of organ harvesting, it confirmed serious operational failures within the police unit. Investigators found repeated violations of policing procedures, disregard for human-rights safeguards, and systemic failures in record-keeping.

The report recommended that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 13, Ukpo, and the Anambra State Police Command submit documentation relating to the eighteen complaints received against the officers. It also recommended reorganizing the Awkuzu Rapid Response Squad to align with international policing standards and Nigeria’s criminal justice laws.

Further recommendations included briefing the public on the investigation to calm tensions and defending civil suits filed by families of detainees who allegedly died in police custody. Pending the outcome of the investigation, the report recommended redeploying CSP Patrick Agbazue, SP Nkeiruka Nwode, and Inspector Harrison Akama from Zone 13 to Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The report concluded that the Inspector-General of Police had reviewed and upheld its recommendations.

However, rather than leading to accountability for the officers implicated in the investigation, the whistleblower, Nnamdi Emeh, became the central target of prosecution. Despite being granted bail and fulfilling the court’s conditions, his release was halted by an ex parte order obtained by the police, and he has remained imprisoned since 2024 while the officers named in the report have continued their careers within the police force.

P.S: LET ME STATE THAT I COULD NOT GET THE FULL REPORT AS IT WAS MUTILATED BY THE POLICE HIERARCHY, HELLBENT ON SHIELDING THESE OFFICERS AND BURNISHING THE IMAGE OF THE POLICE

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM has approved the appointment of DCP Anthony Okon Placid, psc(+), mni as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO).

DCP Placid, psc (+), mni, is a seasoned officer of the Nigeria Police Force with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training, and international peacekeeping.

Born on 2 December 1970 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, he hails from Mbiokporo Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo, a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (M.A.L.D) from the University of Jos and studied Law at the National Open University of Nigeria forstudied Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)

He was appointed into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy, Kano, in 1996, and was commissioned in August 1998.

He has attended several professional and international courses, including United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training (POST), with certifications as expert in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights, and Civilian Protection. UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding course in Kenya.

DCP Placid has served in various strategic capacities within and outside the country, including Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adamawa State; PPRO, Police Staff College, Jos; Chief of Training, African Union Mission in Sudan; Head of Training and Development, United Nations Mission in Darfur; Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu; Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Robbery Unit, Kaduna State; African Union Election Security Adviser; Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Akwa Ibom and Kogi States; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Department, Abia State; and Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance, Zone 3 Headquarters, Yola.

DCP Anthony Placid is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Trainer on International Humanitarian Law. He is a graduate of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and was inducted as a Member of the National Institute (mni) on 13 December 2025, prior to his redeployment to Cross River State.

He is happily married with children. His hobbies include listening to good music, playing football, basketball, table tennis, badminton, and engaging with people.

Ag. ACP BENJAMIN HUNDEYIN, anipr, mipra
Outgoing Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
8th March, 2026