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Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has accused oil thieves, former contractors, and political actors of attempting to pressure the government into cancelling a major pipeline surveillance contract in the Niger Delta.

Adeyanju said those who once profited from illegal oil activities are now leading a campaign to compel the Federal Government of Nigeria to terminate the deal.

According to him, criticism of the contract is largely coming from individuals who lost both money and influence after security around oil pipelines was tightened.

He claimed some of these groups are also collaborating with corrupt officials in an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the surveillance arrangement and push the government to scrap it.

The surveillance contract was awarded to a company linked to former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

Supporters of the deal say it has helped reduce oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta. They argue that improved monitoring has enabled Nigeria to raise its oil production to more than one million barrels per day.

Before the contract was introduced, production had reportedly fallen to around 300,000 barrels per day due to frequent pipeline attacks and illegal oil tapping.

However, some critics believe the government should review the contract, arguing that the arrangement could be perceived as political favouritism and warning that it may increase the influence of former militant groups in the region.

Adeyanju dismissed these concerns, saying the contract has already delivered clear results in protecting Nigeria’s oil facilities. He also called on the government to investigate those advocating for the contract’s cancellation, suggesting some may have personal interests linked to oil theft.

The activist warned that scrapping the surveillance deal could weaken efforts to protect pipelines and allow illegal oil activities to surge once again in the Niger Delta.

He urged the government to remain focused on safeguarding the country’s oil resources and resist pressure from those he claims seek a return to the era of widespread pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

Oil thieves behind campaign against pipeline contract – Adeyanju