The Arewa Youth Alliance for Progress and Development (AYAPD) has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged report of disregard for human rights during operations by security firms securing the nation’s crude assets in the Niger Delta region.
AYAPD made this call on Wednesday at a world press conference to address several complaints bordering on human rights violations and abuses in the Niger Delta region by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
Speaking, the convener of the group, Ambassador Umar Babayaro, who acknowledged the vital role played by the firm in securing the nation’s crude assets, called on all requisite government and non-government organs, including international organizations, to look into the alleged rights abuses during its operations before they degenerate.
According to Babayaro, recently, several complaints bordering on human rights violations and abuses in the Niger Delta region have reached the group, maintaining that the alleged violations are coming in the form of unlawful detentions and arrests by the security firm contracted by the government to secure pipelines in the region.
“We seek these reliefs hence: A thorough investigation into the activities of Tantita Security Services Limited be carried out as it relates to the administration of criminal justice and protection of human rights.
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“It has come to our attention that Tantita Security Services Limited now arrests innocent Nigerians at will, detains, and tortures them for as long as they wish.
“Victims arrested by Tantita Security Services Limited are kept in detention and given inhumane treatment without being charged to any court of law as prescribed by the Constitution,” Babayaro stated.
According to him, prominent are cases of Moses Richard from Shekri, Peter, and Boma Samuel, who are all victims of these human rights infringements. According to videos trending on social media, these youths were kidnapped, beaten, and detained for several weeks.
He added, “Others named Jolomi Abechukwu from Tisin Community, who, according to him, was arrested alongside his friend Bade and taken into captivity in Oporoza, where the alleged camp and illegal detention facilities of Tantita Security are located. They were arrested on the 2nd of December, 2024, and released in January 2025.”
“AYAPD, as law-abiding youths of Nigeria, do not want to believe that the pipeline surveillance contract gives impetus to the security company to arrogate arrest and detention powers reserved only for the security apparatus of Nigeria.
“These unlawful arrests violate the express provisions of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the express provisions of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.”
He expressed optimism that the government and all relevant organizations will take the necessary steps to address the matter fairly and uphold the integrity and supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
