Nigeria’s private security firm, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), has entered into an agreement with a United States–based Textron Systems for the supply of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in a move aimed at curbing crude oil theft in the country.
Textron Systems said the drones would support security operations around Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure, which has continued to face threats from crude oil theft, vandalism and sabotage.
The deal also includes provisions for training and the possible acquisition of additional aircraft as Tantita expands its operations, building on a previous US Foreign Military Sales delivery of Aerosonde drone systems to Nigeria.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 is designed to operate without a runway, using a hybrid quadrotor system for vertical takeoff and landing before transitioning to fixed-wing flight. The system can carry multiple payloads and conduct extended surveillance missions.
Speaking on the development, Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Mr Waredi Enisour, said Tantita officials were in the United States to inspect the drone operations and understudy the associated technical processes.
Mr Enisour added that with the latest technological acquisitions by Tantita, incidents of crude oil theft are expected to decline significantly, as the drones will provide extensive surveillance coverage across the Niger Delta region.
He disclosed that Tanttia is the first private security firm in Nigeria to acquire the Aerosonde UAV which hosts ISR capabilities.
Tantita is a company owned by a former militant leader, Mr Government Ekpemupolo, commonly known as Tompolo. Over the years, the federal government has collaborated with the former militant leader for the protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure and securing permanent peace in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region.
Oil and gas remains Nigeria’s economic mainstay, contributing nearly 90 per cent of forex earnings and 70 per cent of national revenue. However, constant oil theft over the years has made it impossible for the country to hit its peak production of 2.5 million barrels recorded in 2005, although improvement has occurred in recent years, there have been more hands-on approach.