Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), the private security company owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has entered into a strategic partnership with American defence company, Textron Systems, to strengthen the fight against oil theft in Nigeria.
According to a statement published on Textron Systems’ official website on December 29, 2025, the U.S.-based firm will supply three advanced Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) to Tantita. The drones are designed to take off and land vertically without the need for runways, making them highly effective for operations in difficult and swampy terrains such as the Niger Delta.
Textron disclosed that the drones will be delivered in a fully ITAR-free configuration, easing international export requirements. Built with hybrid quadrotor technology, the Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 can operate in both VTOL and fixed-wing modes, allowing for extended surveillance missions and flexible deployment.
The company also revealed that the agreement includes options for additional aircraft and comprehensive training support, enabling Tantita to scale up its operational capacity over time.
Commenting on the deal, David Phillips, Senior Vice President of Air, Land and Sea Systems at Textron, described the Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 as a proven and reliable system capable of transforming Tantita’s security operations.
“The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS is a mature, highly reliable, and industry-proven autonomous solution that will provide Tantita Security Services with transformational capability to execute their security operations,” Phillips said.
He added that the drone’s performance and reliability would help Tantita expand its mission to safeguard Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure, which remains critical to national security and economic prosperity.
The contract builds on Textron’s extensive experience deploying Aerosonde systems in demanding environments across the world, including operations aboard more than 10 U.S. Navy ships. Globally, the Aerosonde platform has recorded over 700,000 flight hours, underscoring its operational credibility.
Textron Systems noted that the sale represents a major boost to security operations in Nigeria, especially in high-risk areas where oil and gas facilities are frequently targeted by vandals and thieves. The company also highlighted the possibility of future acquisitions and expanded training to further enhance Tantita’s readiness.
Tantita Security Services, widely recognised for providing security solutions within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, is expected to deploy the drones for surveillance, rapid response, and critical infrastructure protection, significantly improving situational awareness across the Niger Delta and other sensitive regions.
The deal further reflects the growing reliance on uncrewed systems in modern security operations, as governments and private firms increasingly adopt advanced technology to protect vital assets.
While delivery timelines for the drones have not been made public, Tantita officials are expected to unveil deployment and operational plans in the coming months.
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