Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
An American defence technology company, Textron Systems, has signed a landmark contract to provide three advanced surveillance drones to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a private security company owned by Niger Delta security contractor Chief Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo. The agreement is expected to significantly boost surveillance and security operations in Nigeria’s oil‑producing regions, particularly the Niger Delta.
Under the contract sealed on December 29, 2025, Textron Systems will deliver three Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 Vertical Take‑Off and Landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to Tantita. These drones are capable of vertical take‑off and landing without runways, thanks to hybrid quadrotor technology, making them well suited for operations in remote, difficult‑to‑access areas such as swamps, creeks and offshore environments often found in the Niger Delta.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 UAS platforms are designed for tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, enabling persistent aerial monitoring and real‑time data collection across wide areas. Their deployment by Tantita is aimed at strengthening the company’s operational capacity to monitor and protect critical infrastructure, particularly oil pipelines, flow stations and export terminals, which have long been vulnerable to crude oil theft, vandalism and economic sabotage.
According to Textron Systems, the drones will be provided in a fully ITAR‑free configuration, facilitating international export and deployment without the usual restrictive oversight processes associated with defence technology transfers. The contract also includes options for additional aircraft and training support to help Tantita expand its operational reach and enhance the technical expertise of its personnel.
Textron Systems’ Senior Vice President of Air, Land and Sea Systems, David Phillips, described the Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 as a mature and highly reliable autonomous solution that will provide transformational capability for Tantita’s security operations. He highlighted its proven performance in challenging environments and its potential to improve situational awareness and rapid threat detection.
The partnership follows Tantita’s existing role as a key operator in the Federal Government’s oil and gas infrastructure security programme, having been engaged in intensified surveillance activities to curb crude oil theft and stabilise production across the Niger Delta since 2022. The introduction of advanced unmanned systems is expected to enhance these efforts, bringing technological sophistication to a sector that has grappled with persistent security challenges.
While industry analysts and some stakeholders have welcomed the deal as a positive step towards safeguarding Nigeria’s economic mainstay — oil and gas — others have emphasised the need for clear regulatory oversight to ensure that advanced defence technologies are used responsibly by private security operators.
As delivery and deployment plans advance in the coming months, Tantita is expected to unveil its operational strategy for integrating the drones into its security framework, with a focus on enhancing early warning capabilities, rapid response coordination, and comprehensive monitoring of high‑risk zones critical to national energy security.
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