Security
Slain Soldiers: Ex-warlords finger Tompolo, tell Tinubu to take quick action
As reactions continue to trail killing of 16 soldiers in Okuama community on Thursday last week, former Niger Delta warlords on Thursday called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to quickly unravel those behind the killings to prevent the break down of law and order in the region.
CAPITAL POST recalled that 16 Military personnel including a commanding Officer, two Majors and one captain with 12 soldiers were murdered by suspected youths of Okuama community while the soldiers were said to be on a peace mission.
However, a statement released by the ex- warlords including General Ebi Gold, General Lastborn Ogidi, General Akpala Odidi, General Freeborn Teacher Owei and General Sunday Fullpower, the former militants attributed the current unrest in the area to clash of interest amongt stakeholders.
The ex – warlord told the side of the story as related by by eye witnesses and residents of the area.
“They said it came as a surprise when after being well received and entertained, the Military visitors insisted on going with three of the community leaders. The community resisted, reasoning that there was no basis for such and all hell broke loose as the soldiers reportedly opened fire on the community killing several people and injuring so many. Reports say that the soldiers left and returned with reinforcement.
“Other sources say that the soldiers who came were ambushed on the river while returning after the attack on villagers of Okuama, by unknown persons who they said came in about 9 gunboats and the corpses of the Military personnel were recovered in faraway Forcados.
”The genesis of the current crisis was when the former NIMASA DG, Patrick Akpoboloukaimi went to see former Militant leader and now Security consultant to the Federal Government, Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo and on his way back to his village, Okoloba in Delta state, raised an alarm that he saw a speedboat trailing him.
“He was said to have alerted security forces that were with him who purportedly apprehended the said boat containing six persons including the youth leader of Okuama Community; a rival community to Okoloba, who were also heading towards their village and all were killed. This was said to have led to retaliation by the youths of Okuama community who also sought and killed the youth leader of former DG NIMASA’s village, Okoloba.
The ex-warlords warned that the situation might deteriorate into a major crisis if not properly handled.
They called on the Federal Government to also look into the role Tompolo is playing in the entire crisis
“It has been noticed that in the wake of the Delta crisis still ongoing, he (Tompolo) clearly has extended the war to Bayelsa community of Egbomotoru.
“Tompolo’s Tantita security has led attacks and raids with Soldiers into Bayelsa communities under the excuse that General Endurance popularly known as Amagbein, has a hand in the ongoing crisis in Delta State.
“As it currently stands, over 80 people had been killed, burnt and thrown into the sea to avoid detection and have also initiated a complete media blackout on the development as at the morning of 17th March 2024 in Egbomotoru, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
“Reliable sources say that there had been over eight (8) attempts before now, with gunboats, houseboats and Tantita Security and Military men to attack Egbomotoru, Amagbein’s village in a bid to subdue and coerce him as he is seen as a major threat and a force in the region that is seen to be challenging their stake.
Amagbein who is said to have become a repentant bunkerer has reportedly resisted being lured into war with the military in order to avoid being framed as the aggressor.
“Fallout between Tantita boss, Tompolo and his former ally, Amagbein started when the ex-militant refused to be dragged into working for APC Gubernatorial candidate for Bayelsa state, former Governor Timipre Silva and his running mate, Joshua Maciver who is also an ex militant and the coordinator of Tantita Bayelsa.
“Another reason for the attacks on Amagbein is said to be his resistance to the monopolization of the Pipeline Security Surveillance contract by Tantita with Amagbein insisting that it should be shared amongst the various State leaders.
“For this and other reasons as stated above, Amagbein was reportedly denied his wages to the tune of 1.25b and has been threatened and harassed severely for not succumbing to the pressures.”
Citing these instances, the Ex-warlords maintained that there is a political undertone to the incidents in the Niger Delta which they described as victimization and intimidation.
“This needs to be thoroughly checked within the next 48 hours and the truth unveiled to avoid total breakdown of law and order”
While sympathizing with the soldiers that lost their lives, they asked the Federal Government to institute an investigation into the issues surrounding the crisis.
They urge the Federal Government under president Tinubu to quickly and decisively arrest the situation to avoid a full blown war in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking on the issue a community leader who pleaded anonymity rather asked some rhetorical questions: “why is Tompolo now the Commander in Chief of the Niger Delta? Why was his company, Tantita boat the one being used by the military in the place? Is Okuama now oil producing community? Is there pipeline in Okuama? ”
“Why will Tompolos Tantita be used against the Okuama people? The former DG of Nimasa is from okoloba the opposing community in this crises and one of the closest allies to Tompolo who made him DG Nimasa so during Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure. It’s Tompolo using the military and Tantita to fight the Urhobos ? We all know there is no oil in the community so what’s the role of Tompolo’s Tantita in all this?” He queried.
“What are Tantita boats and foot soldiers fighting for in Okuama by leading the security with so many boats used for the operations? Don’t forget that the Okuama people are fully Urhobos while Tantita is predominantly Ijaw youths.”
The Ex warlords also called for a probe into the role of Patrick Akpobolokemi in the entire saga.
Akpobolokemi is a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA).
As public outrage continue to trail the killing of travelers in Uromi, Edo State on Thursday 27th March, 2025, the Nigerian Police authorities in the State has announced the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the killing.
The victims said, to be hunters were travelling to the Northern part of the country when mob swooped and killed them on suspicion that they are Fulani kidnapper.
The Police said, they are 16 powers and all of them were killed.
The Spokesman for the Police Command, Moses Yamu said some persons have been arrested in connection with the attack.
“In the course of investigations, fourteen (14) suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime, while an emergency meeting was convened with stakeholders and members of the community to address the situation,” Yamu said in a statement on Friday.
Narrating how the incident happened, the Edo Police Command said it occurred when a “truck with registration number KKF 225 XA coming from Port Harcourt, conveying 25 travellers from Elele, a suburb of Rivers State, was accosted by some vigilante group members at Uromi, and some of the travelers who found in possession of locally made dane guns were arrested”.
“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised an alarm of them being suspected kidnappers, which led some members and passersby in the community to attack and lynch sixteen (16) of the occupants while the truck conveying them was equally burnt.
“Police operatives attached to the Uromi Division got wind of the incident and swiftly stormed the scene where ten (10) of the travelers were rescued, two of whom sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital where they are currently positively responding to treatment.”
Yamu said a unit of Police Mobile Force personnel with other command tactical teams had been deployed to the area to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
The police said “investigations continue” over the incident and cautioned “against any form of reprisal attacks”.
The new Commissioner of Police in Niger State, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman has sent a strong warning to criminals operating in the State and vowed that his tenure as a Police boss would change the tide for them or else they should relocate elsewhere.
He sent this warning after he assumed office upon his posting to the State, insisting that criminal elements should stay clear of the State or be ready to incur the full weight of the command.
He said the command under his watch will engage a high level of professional standards in effectively policing the state calling on well meaning individual and critical stakeholders to partner with him in ensuring crime free Niger State.
According to the CP, he is already aware of the activities of youth restiveness and other criminal activities in Minna the state capital assuring that he will make the state unbearable for them.
Speaking through the Command Public Relation Officer (PPRO), while Fielding Question from Journalists at the Police headquarters in Minna Friday, Wasiu Abiodun,SP insisted that the command will not fold its hands to watch some disgruntled elements engaging in an act that will breach the security of the people.
He underscores his command preparedness to ensure the maintenance of law and order in policing the command through community related policing appealing to officers and men of the command to leave above board in making Niger State unsafe for criminal minded elements.
In his words,” as you know, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman just took over the mantle of the command on Thursday the 27th, of March 2025.
“He addressed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and other sectional heads of the Command. He assured them of building on the legacy of his Predecessor CP Ebenezer Shawulu Danmaman.
“He also requested that they should extend their hands of fellowship to him for him to succeed in chasing and curtail the activities of these miscreants to the barest level in Minna the capital of Niger State.”
Speaking on the Command’s preparedness to ensure crime free eid ul-Fitr celebration, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman disclosed that the command will deploy enough personnel to all praying grounds across the state. This according to him is to ensure the safety of worshipers.
He warned parents and guardians in the state to monitor the activities of their wards and children to guard against any act that will bring them to face the wrath of the law.
While appreciating men and officers of the Command for their professional resilience in the maintenance of law and order, CP Abdullahi Elleman warned that he has zero tolerance for any act of unprofessional conducts that will bring the Command to ridicule.
In a bid to strengthen security of lives and property and to foster peaceful coexistence in Ijumu Local Government Area, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command CP Miller G. Dantawaye, convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders, within the Local Government, to address pressing security concerns and enhance community Policing efforts.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ovye Aya, made available to CAPITAL POST on Tuesday, said, the meeting was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara, Rtd, the representative of the Department of State Services (DSS); the member, representing Ijumu, at the State House of Assembly, the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, the Chairman of the Local Government, the Olujumu of Ijumu, as well as members of Miyetti Allah.
In his address, the CP emphasized the importance of collaboration in tackling insecurity. He called for intelligence-sharing between residents and Security Agencies, stressing that law enforcement alone cannot ensure safety without community support. He called for the effective collaboration between the Police and their host community.
He further assured of involving immigration agencies to monitor and regulate movement as well as Proper documentation that will enhance accountability and reduce security threats within the Local Government.
The meeting also addressed land ownership rights, the role of traditional institutions, and the need for structured conflict resolution. The CP urged all parties to respect existing leadership structures and seek peaceful resolutions through dialogue.
Reaffirming the Police unwavering commitment to professionalism and human rights, the CP warned against lawlessness, stating that Security Agencies are fully prepared to take action against any individual or group threatening the peace in the area. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly.
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