Urhobo Youths Accuse Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of Looting ₦1.6 Billion Surveillance Contract

A coalition of Urhobo youths led by Vincent  Egodegbe has accused former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, of looting a ₦1.6 billion security surveillance contract allegedly meant for Urhobo communities in Delta State.

TJ News Nigeria reports that the serious allegation emerged in the wake of escalating tensions involving youth groups within the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) and operatives of Tantita Security Services Limited, a company linked to ex-militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.

Also Read : FG Opens 2025 Recruitment Portal for Immigration, NSCDC, Correctional & Fire Service Jobs

---

Background to the Allegations

The youths allege that the multi-billion naira contract, reportedly awarded for oil pipeline surveillance in the Niger Delta, was misappropriated under the supervision of key political actors, with Senator Ovie Omo-Agege accused of being a major beneficiary.

According to sources within the Urhobo youth community, the accusation stems from the perceived unfair disbursement of surveillance job slots and funds by Tantita Security Services. The group claims that while other ethnic groups received their allocations directly, Urhobo youths were sidelined or underpaid.

---

Fallout from UPU Youth Wing and Tantita Crisis

TJ News Nigeria gathered that the controversy erupted shortly after a fracas between the UPU Youth Wing and Tantita operatives, reportedly triggered by dissatisfaction over how the surveillance contract benefits were shared.

• Several youth leaders alleged that UPU Youth Wing executives hijacked job slots meant for the general Urhobo youth population.
• They accused the leadership of colluding with political actors to divert contracts and monetary allocations.

The matter has further deepened internal divisions within the UPU youth structure.

---

Direct Accusation Against Senator Omo-Agege

The coalition has now openly accused Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who represented Delta Central Senatorial District from 2015 to 2023, of misappropriating the ₦1.6 billion meant for Urhobo communities under the contract.

In a statement released to the media, one of the youth spokespersons said:

“We demand transparency and accountability. The Urhobo nation cannot be shortchanged while our leaders continue to benefit from contracts awarded in our name. We hold Senator Omo-Agege responsible for diverting the contract and the funds.”

---

No Response Yet from Senator Omo-Agege

Efforts by TJ News Nigeria to obtain a response from Senator Omo-Agege on the allegations proved abortive as of press time.

Calls and messages sent to his known aides were unanswered, and no official statement has been issued from his camp.

---

UPU Youth Wing Also Under Fire

In addition to accusing Omo-Agege, the protesting youths—operating under an unnamed coalition—strongly condemned the UPU Youth Wing led by Blessed Ughere, accusing its leadership of allocating surveillance job slots and monetary incentives to themselves without wider consultation or community transparency.

The coalition called for:

• A complete audit of the Tantita contract disbursement process involving Urhobo beneficiaries
• Public disclosure of all job slots and payments issued through political or community structures
• The resignation or suspension of any UPU youth leaders found to have cornered public benefits

---

Call for Independent Probe

The protesting youths have also called on relevant anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, to investigate the entire ₦1.6 billion surveillance contract, and how funds were handled in Delta State.

They insist that political actors, including former lawmakers, must be held accountable if found guilty of diverting funds meant for grassroots security empowerment.

---

What you should know

As tensions continue to rise within Urhobo land, the allegations against Senator Omo-Agege and UPU youth leadership under Blessed Ughere have further exposed the complex web of patronage, politics, and resource control in the region.

TJ News Nigeria will continue to monitor developments around the controversial surveillance contract and publish updates as new information becomes available.