A coalition of youth leaders under the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum for Peace & Development (NDENYLFPD) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s security chiefs to urgently address rising tensions in the region over pipeline surveillance contracts.
The group raised concerns over recent threats and inflammatory statements allegedly made by a faction operating under the name Aggressive Niger Delta Freedom Fighters Forum, which they say are aimed at inciting unrest and discrediting Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) — a company chaired by His Imperial Majesty, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II (CFR).
In a statement titled “Condemnation of Crisis-Inciting Statements Against PINL and the Olu of Warri – A Call for Urgent Presidential Intervention,” the coalition condemned social media campaigns demanding the termination of PINL’s surveillance contract, describing the messages as reckless and unrepresentative of the broader ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta.
The communique, signed by youth leaders from the nine oil-producing states — including Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ondo, and Cross River — reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the region. They urged the federal government to disregard the inflammatory remarks and to take swift action to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
The appeal followed an emergency meeting convened in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by Senior Comrade Ambassador Tamuno James, where the coalition discussed what they described as a “dangerous narrative” being pushed by faceless agitators.
Ambassador James said, “This so-called group recently issued a highly provocative petition on social media, urging President Tinubu to revoke a legally awarded pipeline surveillance contract being executed by PINL. This is a direct attack on both the company and the respected traditional leadership of His Imperial Majesty, the Olu of Warri.”
The youth coalition urged the public to disregard the group’s claims, emphasizing that such divisive rhetoric undermines the peace-building efforts in the Niger Delta. They also reaffirmed their support for legitimate economic activities and government partnerships aimed at protecting critical oil infrastructure.
“We regard such calls as nothing short of an open invitation to chaos, and a calculated attempt to destabilise the fragile peace that the Niger Delta region has worked so hard to maintain over the years.
“The baseless suggestion that PINL should be barred from operating in Ijaw territories is a direct affront to peace, unity, and the collective aspirations of the region’s ethnic nationalities.
“We are particularly concerned that the so-called Aggrieved Freedom Fighters Forum went as far as issuing a petition to the federal government, accusing PINL of alleged marginalisation of Ijaw youths, rampant bunkering activities, sponsoring tribal conflict, forceful renaming of Ijaw communities, and laying false territorial claims over Ijaw and Urhobo lands.
“Such inflammatory claims, lacking verifiable evidence, are aimed at creating division, inciting violence, and discrediting a legitimate contractor performing national assignments.
“For the records, the national leadership of the NDENYLFPD wishes to categorically counter these baseless allegations as follows: on the allegation of marginalisation, it is on record that PINL employs all surveillance and security personnel directly from host communities, including Ijaw territories along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) corridor.
“The claim of exclusion is false and mischievous. Among all surveillance contractors in the Niger Delta, PINL remains the only company that holds monthly stakeholders’ engagement meetings with traditional rulers, women groups, youth leaders, and community representatives. This includes the IYC, MOSEIND, Ogoni Youth Council, Bonny Federated Body and others in Rivers and Bayelsa states, with NNPC Limited, NSA, and military officials in attendance.
“On the allegation of unchecked bunkering, this is clearly a distortion of facts. The PINL-managed sections of the Trans Niger Pipeline, spanning Bonny to Nembe Creek and across host communities in Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, and Imo states, have remained vandalism-free for years.
“This exceptional record is known and acknowledged by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NNPC Limited, and the Office of the National Security Adviser. No other contractor has achieved such performance in our history.
“On the accusation of sponsoring tribal conflict, the alleged link between the Olu of Warri and a British national found with weapons is spurious and defamatory. His Imperial Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III (CFR) is a globally respected first-class monarch, a peace ambassador across the Middle East and Africa, and an internationally educated statesman with numerous academic honours.
“He cannot be reduced to the level of engaging with faceless individuals who fail to provide any legal proof of land ownership within Warri Kingdom.
“On the renaming of Ijaw communities, the communities cited (such as Okenrenkoko to Okenrenghigho, Oporoza to Opuraza, and Azama to Azatiton) have long histories and names that reflect their original linguistic and cultural evolution. The claim of “forceful renaming” is a deliberate misrepresentation of reality designed to stoke ethnic tension.”
The Niger Delta youth leaders, therefore, urged Mr. President to treat the inciteful group as a threat to national security and declare them wanted for inciting violence and attempting to destabilise the now peaceful region.
They noted, “These elements, whose sole interest is profiting from instability and violence, must not be allowed to reverse the gains we have made in peace-building and economic stability.
“We, the youth leaders from all ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta, remain committed to peace, justice, and equitable development. We believe in your leadership and trust that you will treat this issue with the urgency it demands to prevent the resurgence of the crisis in our region.”
