...As Youth Call for Decentralization of Pipeline Protection Amid Corruption Claims

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), led by Alaye Theophilus, together with the United Niger Delta Congress (UNDC), staged a massive protest at the National Assembly today March 31th, 2026, calling for the decentralization and full accountability of the N2.1 trillion pipeline surveillance program.

Prominent figures at the forefront of the protest included Egbema 1, Gen Alex, Gen Pius, and several other former agitators, who have long been involved in advocating for the rights and welfare of the Niger Delta communities.

The coalition alleges that Bonny crude oil is being siphoned abroad to the American sea, and demands a thorough investigation to identify the individuals benefiting from these illicit activities. “Enough is enough,” they declared, emphasizing that justice, equity, and fairness must guide the management of Nigeria’s oil resources.

According to the protesters, pipeline surveillance contracts are being misused as platforms for harmful activities, with reports of armed groups causing havoc, suppressing communities, and fostering division. The coalition warned that if these issues are not addressed promptly, they could escalate into a full-blown conflict in the Niger Delta, a scenario that the youth and residents strongly reject.

“Since the emergence of these pipeline operators, there have been alarming allegations of kidnappings and killings, all tied to pipeline security contracts,” the coalition stated. “This is a dangerous situation that threatens the peace and stability of the Niger Delta.”

The protestors are calling on the National Assembly Committee to conduct a comprehensive probe into the activities of pipeline contractors, including those linked to the crude oil reportedly intercepted in the American sea, which credible sources suggest is owned and operated by Nigerians.

“This level of exploitation is unacceptable,” the coalition declared. They emphasized the need for stronger oversight, accountability, and broader stakeholder inclusion, so that the Niger Delta—and Nigeria as a whole—can benefit from its resources through improved infrastructure, human capital development, and youth empowerment.

The coalition stressed that a few individuals cannot continue collaborating with bad actors to divert national wealth for personal gain. Decentralizing pipeline protection contracts, they argue, is critical for Nigeria, which can no longer afford to lose crude oil to theft.

In addition, the Coalition for Better Nigeria called for full transparency in the ongoing investigations into oil pipeline surveillance contracts awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. The group urged the Presidency, security agencies, and National Assembly to ensure a thorough, unbiased, and public inquiry.

The coalition also highlighted the importance of including more stakeholders from across the Niger Delta states in pipeline surveillance efforts to enhance transparency, fairness, and efficiency, thereby safeguarding the region’s peace and prosperity.