‘He Is Not Hungry!’ — Shoot at Sight Allegedly Returns Tompolo’s Money, Rejects Unity Invitation Over Boyloaf Snub
By Passman Akpos
YENAGOA, BAYELSA — What was presented as a landmark celebration of Ijaw unity in Yenagoa has become the centre of a fresh controversy after Apostle Comrade Daniel Ezekiel Perela alleged that High Chief Bibopere Ajube, popularly known as “Shoot at Sight,” rejected an invitation and money allegedly sent by former Niger Delta agitator, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, after learning that another prominent former agitator, Victor-Ben Ebikabowei, popularly known as Boyloaf, had allegedly been excluded.
The controversy surrounds the Ijaw Mega Unity Reception and reconciliation meeting held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at Ijaw House, Yenagoa, and hosted by Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
The gathering was organised to mark the conclusion of reconciliation efforts over the leadership crisis within the Ijaw National Congress (INC), with traditional rulers, politicians, youth representatives and other stakeholders in attendance.
But while the event was projected as a major demonstration of unity, Ezekiel, in a strongly worded video message, questioned whether genuine unity could be achieved through what he described as selective invitations and alleged exclusion of important former agitator leaders.
‘Why Invite Shoot at Sight and Leave Boyloaf?’
The most explosive allegation centred on the reported invitation extended to Shoot at Sight.
According to Ezekiel, Tompolo allegedly sent a plane and money to bring Shoot at Sight to the September 1 gathering in Yenagoa.
Ezekiel alleged that Shoot at Sight, upon learning that Boyloaf had not been invited, questioned the decision.
He claimed the response was that the invitation was specifically for Shoot at Sight.
According to Ezekiel, that allegedly did not go down well with the former militant commander.
«“It was at this stage Shoot at Sight told him that he is not hungry, and he will not be there. He then returned his money,” Ezekiel alleged.»
Ezekiel said Shoot at Sight’s alleged decision earned his respect.
«“With this firm, objective position of Shoot at Sight, he has earned my respect,” he stated.»
Tarakirivoice could not independently verify the allegation concerning the alleged plane, money or the circumstances surrounding Shoot at Sight’s reported decision not to attend.
‘Is This Genuine Ijaw Unity?’
Ezekiel’s central argument was that an initiative promoted as an Ijaw unity gathering should not, in his view, leave out major figures whose participation could contribute to broader reconciliation.
“If a man genuinely wants peace and reconciliation, why invite one former agitator while deliberately leaving out another critical stakeholder?” he asked.
He described the September 1 gathering as a “jamboree,” arguing that the Ijaw nation could not achieve lasting unity without addressing the divisions among former agitators and other influential stakeholders.
«“There is no unity in Ijaw Nation and there will not be unity in Ijaw Nation until certain things are done,” Ezekiel declared.»
Ezekiel Accuses Tompolo of ‘Divide-and-Rule’
Ezekiel went further, accusing Tompolo of allegedly contributing to divisions among Ijaw youths and former agitators.
He alleged that what he described as a “divide-and-rule” strategy had created divisions among former commanders and their followers.
«“Tompolo caused a lot of damage to the unity of Izons, ex-agitators from leadership to boys. He will turn A against B, B against C for selfish reasons, for control of everybody,” he alleged.»
The allegation remains unverified, and Tompolo’s position on Ezekiel’s claims was not included in the material available to Tarakirivoice.
‘Shoot at Sight, Stand With Your Fellow Leaders’
Ezekiel also praised Shoot at Sight for what he described as solidarity with other former agitator leaders.
«“Shoot at Sight, keep standing by your fellow ex-agitators leaders. Don’t fall for Tompolo divide-and-rule tactics,” he said.»
He further declared:
«“His peace is fake, ignore it.”»
Ezekiel described the alleged return of the money as evidence that Shoot at Sight was unwilling to participate in a process he believed excluded another former agitator leader.
But What Was the September 1 Meeting Actually About?
The controversy comes against the backdrop of a separate reconciliation process within the Ijaw National Congress, rather than an officially described gathering solely for former militants.
The Ijaw Mega Unity Reception was held at Ijaw House, Yenagoa, on September 1, 2026, following efforts to resolve the crisis that emerged from the disputed April 2026 INC election.
Governor Douye Diri had constituted a reconciliation committee chaired by former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Dr. Mathew Seiyefa.
The September 1 event was therefore presented by its organisers as the formal closure of the INC leadership crisis and an opportunity for Ijaw leaders to reunite.
Among those present was Tompolo, who attended the gathering in his capacity as Chairman of Tantita Security Services Limited.
The event brought together politicians, traditional rulers, academics, youth representatives and other stakeholders.
Diri: ‘The Unity of the Ijaw Nation Is Non-Negotiable’
Speaking at the event, Governor Diri urged Ijaw stakeholders to bury their differences and work together.
He challenged the INC leadership to build an institution capable of defending the identity, dignity and collective interests of the Ijaw people.
«“This powerful gathering tells Nigeria, Africa, and the world that the unity, solidarity, and indivisibility of the Ijaw nation are non-negotiable,” Diri said.»
The governor warned that failure by the Ijaw people to organise and speak with one voice could allow others to determine their future.
He said the people’s resources, dignity and collective future depended on their ability to act together.
INC Leadership Crisis Declared Resolved
The reconciliation meeting followed the controversial April 2026 INC election that produced the High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwei-led executive.
The subsequent inauguration in Warri, Delta State, rather than at Ijaw House in Yenagoa, generated further disagreement.
The reconciliation process eventually brought key stakeholders together, with the September 1 reception serving as a public demonstration of acceptance of the current INC leadership.
Chairman of the event and former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, commended Governor Diri and the reconciliation committee for their intervention.
The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, also urged Igbadiwei to regard his position as a responsibility to unite Ijaw people and defend their collective interests.
Pipeline Surveillance Dispute Adds Another Layer
The latest controversy is also unfolding against a wider disagreement over pipeline surveillance contracts and the distribution of economic opportunities in the Niger Delta.
Ezekiel has previously advocated decentralisation of pipeline surveillance opportunities, arguing that economic benefits from the region’s resources should not be concentrated around one individual or group.
He has also criticised aspects of the Tantita Security Services arrangement and raised objections to alleged moves involving the leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
However, several of the financial and contractual claims contained in his statements have not been supported by documentary evidence available to Tarakirivoice and could not be independently verified.
Unity Under Pressure
The dispute has now raised a broader question: Can the Ijaw nation achieve genuine unity when disagreements among former agitator leaders remain unresolved?
For Ezekiel, the alleged exclusion of Boyloaf represents more than an invitation dispute. He sees it as evidence of the deeper fractures that continue to divide influential actors within the Niger Delta struggle.
His position is that reconciliation should involve all major stakeholders rather than selected individuals.
The September 1 gathering may have formally marked the end of the INC leadership crisis, but Ezekiel’s allegations have opened another front in the debate over Ijaw unity.
The controversy surrounding Shoot at Sight, Boyloaf and Tompolo is therefore likely to keep the question alive: Was the Yenagoa unity gathering the beginning of genuine reconciliation—or merely another gathering that left old divisions untouched?
For now, the allegation that Shoot at Sight allegedly returned money and declined an invitation because Boyloaf was left out remains at the heart of the latest Niger Delta controversy.
