The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has commended President Bola Tinubu for renewing the pipeline protection contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Limited for another three years.

The Ijaw youths said Tinubu, with the renewal, displayed uncommon leadership in the pursuit of the collective good of Nigeria.

The IYN said this in a statement issued by its Coordinator, Frank Ebikabo, and the Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, on Sunday, October 15, 2023.

The group said the decision of the president, who ignored “a campaign of calumny” orchestrated by a group of self-serving individuals, was a further vindication of the bold efforts made by Tantita Security Limited to confront the mindless theft of the nation’s oil resources.

The Ijaw youths stated that the renewal of the contract in spite of the massive campaign against the company clearly showed Tinubu is determined to strengthen the fight against the oil thieves who it said have held down this country’s economy for years.

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The group also commended the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, for the display of firmness and patriotism in the lingering issue of the fight against oil theft and economic sabotage in the country.

The group stated that Kyari’s decision to engage local security outfits to confront the hydra-headed existential economic challenge facing the country was a masterstroke as shown by the exploits that Tantita Security Services Limited.

The IYN urged the NNPCL boss to ignore “a group of disgruntled militants who are blackmailing him in the media, sadly for doing what is right”.

It noted that the NNPCL only did what was expected by offering needed solutions to a crime executed by a gang of rich criminals who the group said targeted the soul of the nation’s economy.

The group further called on security agencies, especially the Department of State Services (DSS) to “an amorphous body, the Supreme Egbesu Freedom Fighters of Niger Delta, which has issued threats to the NNPC GCEO over the renewal of the contract.”

The Ijaw youths urged the security agencies to ensure that those behind the threat are closely monitored and arrested to avert possible targeting of the nation’s critical economic assets in the Niger Delta region.

The Star