The Niger-Delta Ex-Agitators Movement for Justice and Freedom has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, calling for an urgent probe into the oil assets security supervisory contract in the region.

The ex-militants alleged that “dereliction of duty” has allowed rampant crude theft and vandalism to persist.

The demand was made in a petition dated October 15, 2025, signed by National Chairman Preye Emiete and copied to the National Security Adviser, NNPCL and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The ex-agitators expressed deep concern over the persistent sabotage, crude oil theft, and vandalism of vital petroleum infrastructure in the Niger Delta region.

They described the performance of the current contract as “an affront to national economic security, public trust, and the wellbeing of host communities,” demanding immediate intervention to review and potentially terminate the agreement.

The petitioners outlined the mandate of the contract, which includes “supervising all contracted oil security outfits to ensure adherence to operational guidelines”, “coordinating with relevant federal agencies to detect and deter oil theft and vandalism, engaging and incorporating host community stakeholders in surveillance and rapid response,” and “ensuring familiarity with local terrains for optimal protection of petroleum”.

However, according to the ex-agitators, these obligations are not being met.

The petition cited field reports, community testimonies, and independent media coverage, showing rampant oil theft and rising vandalism.

They frowned at the situation whereby host communities are sidelined in favour of “security contractors with little to no knowledge of the terrain”.

Drawing on NNPC data, the petition highlighted that in June 2025 alone, 223 new illegal connections on oil pipelines were discovered, alongside the dismantling of 78 illegal refineries, leading to daily losses exceeding 400,000 barrels of crude oil.

“This continued theft and sabotage have led to production losses amounting to millions of barrels annually, robbing the Federal Government and citizens of vital revenue,” the agitators stated, adding that environmental spills have “destroyed farmlands and fishing waters, further impoverishing host communities”.

The ex-agitators further criticized the contractors for failing to “implement sustainable monitoring systems, relying instead on ad-hoc and ineffective patrols,” which they said fosters resentment, erodes trust, and weakens intelligence gathering.

They raised questions about the “criteria and processes by which these appointments are made,” suggesting that “certain appointments may serve” undisclosed interests, and labeled the non-performance a “breach of contractual obligations” under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), justifying immediate governmental intervention, contract review, and, where necessary, termination.

They also called for stronger oversight and a review of all contractor selections, potentially appointing new supervisory entities with proven track records in oil asset protection.

“This is not merely an operational lapse; it is a threat to national economic security,” the petition warned, emphasizing impacts like hampered crude production, weakened OPEC quota performance, eroded investor confidence, and risks of renewed agitation and unrest in host communities.