From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
A Group under the auspices of the Arewa Youth Alliance for Progress and Development (AYAPD) has called for the investigation of alleged crimes against humanity and other human rights violations by chief Owezedei Thomas Ekpemupolo, AKA Tompolo and his Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in Niger Delta region.
The Convener of the Group, Ambassador Umar Babayaro, made the call during a press conference held in Kaduna today (Monday).
Babayaro said that recently, several complaints bordering on human rights violations and abuse in the Niger Delta region have reached the Group, adding that these violations are coming in the form of unlawful detentions and arrests by the Tantita Security Services Limited contracted by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to secure pipelines in that region.
“It has come to our attention that the Tantita Security Services Limited now arrests innocent Nigerians at will, detain and torture 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.”
One of the cases cited was that of Moses Richard from Shekri, Peter, and Boma Samuel, who were all victims of human rights infringements according to videos trending on social media, showing how they were kidnapped, beaten, and detained for several weeks.
“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 the Tantita security are located. They were arrested on the 2nd of December 2024 and released in January 2025.”
“The Arewa Youth Alliance for Progress and Development is an Organisation formed to protect the interest of youths from the Northern extraction of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Organisation also advocates for progress and development across the length and breadth of the Federation of Nigeria.
“As law-abiding youths of Nigeria, we 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 apparatchik of Nigeria.”
The Convener noted that 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.
Consequent upon the above-stated facts, the Group called on all relevant government and non-government organs, including international organizations, to look into these issues before they degenerate.
“We are drawing the attention of the federal government to this anomaly with a call on the international organizations to help protect the rights of Nigerian youths spread across Nigeria.
“if this situation is not investigated and arrested, Youths living in the Niger Delta region will continue to suffer the inhumane and unconstitutional treatment meted out by the Tantita Security Services Limited.
“We seek these reliefs hence: A thorough investigation into the activities of the Tantita Security Services Limited be carried out as it relates to the administration of criminal justice and protection of human rights.
“Steps be taken to secure the lives and properties of Youths and Nigerians living in the Niger Delta Region of the Federation of Nigeria. We continue to trust that the government and all relevant organizations will take the necessary steps to address this matter fairly and uphold the integrity and supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
