The Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Stakeholders has led a chorus of commendations from prominent youth organisations, civil society groups and organizational leaders in Bayelsa State, applauding Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for its significant contribution to curbing street menace, reducing violence and restoring relative peace across the state.

The coalition spokesman, Odede Charles Precious, alongside the Ijaw Women Deserves Better Initiative, the Grassroots Movement Connect (GMC) and youth leader, Gen. Okiemo Stephen, made the commendation during separate interviews with our correspondent, where they assessed Tantita’s impact on tackling anti-social vices and outlined areas where the company can further strengthen its intervention in Bayelsa State.

Speaking on how Tantita has aided the curbing of anti-social vices in Bayelsa and the situation before and after the company’s engagement, the Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Stakeholders said the company has significantly reduced criminality by providing legitimate means of livelihood to thousands of youths who were previously involved in oil theft, illegal bunkering, cultism and other unlawful activities.

The coalition explained that before Tantita’s engagement, Bayelsa was confronted with widespread oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal refining, cult clashes and other violent crimes that claimed lives and created fear across many communities especially in the state capital. According to the group, the employment of youths in pipeline surveillance has helped reduce street violence, criminal activities and insecurity while promoting relative peace and stability across the state.

Also responding, Coordinator of the Ijaw Women Deserves Better Initiative, Miss Bomiegha Rachael Lagos, described Tantita as a game changer whose intervention has restored hope to many families by engaging youths who would otherwise have remained vulnerable to criminal activities.

She noted that before the company’s operations, many young people had little or no means of livelihood and were easily drawn into illegal bunkering, cultism and related crimes. She, however, observed that the situation has improved considerably as many of those youths are now productively engaged, resulting in a noticeable decline in anti-social vices and improved security across Bayelsa.

Similarly, Zonal Head and Leader of Camp Seven, Adagba Pru Pru, Gen. Okiemo Stephen, said the emergence of Tantita filled a critical gap left after many restive youths were not accommodated under the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

According to him, while thousands of former agitators benefited from the amnesty programme, many others who were left out resorted to illegal bunkering, kidnapping, cultism and other criminal activities as a means of survival. He stated that Tantita’s decision to engage many of these youths has drastically reduced insecurity and brought relief not only to communities but also to the Bayelsa State Government in maintaining law and order.

The Grassroots Movement Connect (GMC) led by Hon. Afen Enason Patrick, also said its assessment of communities across the state showed remarkable improvements since Tantita commenced operations. The group said incidents of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal artisanal refining have reduced significantly, while environmental pollution caused by soot has also declined.

According to the organisation, engaging youths from host communities in pipeline surveillance has taken many young people away from piracy, sea robbery, cultism and illegal bunkering, contributing to safer waterways and a more peaceful environment for residents.

When asked what Tantita should do to sustain and improve its achievements, the Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Stakeholders urged the company to expand its empowerment initiatives beyond surveillance by introducing more skills acquisition programmes, technical training, entrepreneurship support and educational opportunities for unemployed youths and women across the Niger Delta.

Miss Bomiegha Rachael Lagos appealed to Tantita to prioritise women empowerment through vocational training, entrepreneurship development and capacity building. She particularly called for programmes targeted at single mothers, female undergraduates and other vulnerable women, stressing that such interventions would improve livelihoods, reduce unemployment and strengthen community development.

On his part, Gen. Okiemo Stephen advised the company to strengthen internal engagement with its operational structure by maintaining regular interaction between management and field personnel. He said obtaining direct feedback from surveillance teams would enable Tantita to formulate more effective policies and improve operational efficiency.

The Grassroots Movement Connect recommended that Tantita should deepen youth empowerment through scholarships, technical education and alternative livelihood programmes for surveillance personnel and former illegal bunkerers. The organisation also called for stronger collaboration with traditional rulers, youth leaders and community development committees, increased public enlightenment on the dangers of oil theft, and greater support for environmental remediation and access to clean water in affected communities.

Despite their various recommendations, all the groups were unanimous that Tantita Security Services has made a significant contribution to reducing street menace, violence and other anti-social vices in Bayelsa State, while laying a solid foundation for lasting peace, improved security and sustainable development across the Niger Delta.