Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has alleged that individuals involved in crude oil theft and former pipeline contractors are behind the ongoing campaign calling on the Federal Government to cancel the Niger Delta pipeline surveillance contract.

Adeyanju claimed that those pushing for the termination of the agreement are persons who previously benefitted from illegal oil activities and have since lost both revenue and influence following tighter security measures around oil pipelines.

The surveillance contract was awarded to a company linked to former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

According to Adeyanju, the criticism surrounding the deal is largely driven by groups seeking to regain control over illicit oil operations in the region.

He also alleged that some of the campaigners are working with corrupt officials in an attempt to discredit the surveillance arrangement and pressure the government into cancelling it.

Supporters of the contract maintain that the initiative has significantly reduced incidents of oil theft and pipeline vandalism across the Niger Delta.

They further argue that improved monitoring has contributed to Nigeria’s crude oil production rising to over one million barrels per day.

Prior to the introduction of the surveillance arrangement, the country’s oil output had reportedly dropped to about 300,000 barrels per day due to persistent pipeline attacks and illegal oil tapping.

However, critics of the deal have called for a review of the contract, warning that it could be viewed as political patronage and may strengthen the influence of former militant groups in the region.

Reacting to the concerns, Adeyanju dismissed the criticism, insisting that the contract has already produced measurable results in securing Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.

He urged the Federal Government to investigate individuals advocating for the cancellation of the agreement, suggesting that some of them may have vested interests linked to crude oil theft.

Adeyanju warned that scrapping the surveillance contract could weaken efforts to protect critical oil facilities and potentially trigger a resurgence of pipeline vandalism and illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta.

He therefore called on the government to remain committed to protecting the nation’s oil assets and resist pressure from groups he alleged are seeking a return to the era of widespread oil theft.