Ijaw Youths In Anger! Tompolo’s Name Returns To Charles Kurobo Kidnapping Controversy As IYC President Doubra Faces Fierce Backlash Over Defence Of Powerful Figures!

By Passman Akpos

The growing controversy surrounding the disappearance of Charles Kurobo and Balamene Karowei has erupted into another fierce confrontation within the Ijaw political space, with the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Comrade Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, facing intense criticism over his response to youths demanding answers about the whereabouts of the missing Ijaw sons.

The latest confrontation has raised disturbing questions about the priorities of the IYC leadership, particularly its willingness to publicly defend influential Ijaw personalities while families of allegedly missing persons continue to demand answers.

The controversy followed an exchange between IYC President Doubra Okotete and social media users, including Ben Emma, David Tare and Festus Eduru, who challenged his leadership over what they described as silence on the unresolved disappearance of Charles Kurobo and Balamene Karowei.

The disagreement has now expanded into a broader confrontation involving the alleged connection of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, to the disappearance of the two men.

Importantly, these allegations have not been established by a court of law, and Tompolo has not been judicially found responsible for their disappearance.

However, the questions surrounding the case remain unanswered.

DOUBRA UNDER FIRE: “WHERE IS YOUR VOICE ON CHARLES KUROBO?”

The controversy intensified after Ben Emma reportedly described the IYC President as a “useless puppet” in response to his position on insults directed at prominent Ijaw leaders.

Doubra subsequently responded with the expression: “Frustrated goat.”

However, rather than ending the argument, his response triggered further criticism from individuals who questioned whether the IYC leadership was paying sufficient attention to the grievances of ordinary Ijaw youths.

David Tare challenged the IYC President, arguing that the council should be more concerned about protecting Ijaw people than policing their expressions on social media.

He specifically questioned why the President had not demonstrated the same public determination in demanding answers about Charles Kurobo and Balamene Karowei.

Tare also raised concerns about the Presidential Amnesty Programme, particularly the increase in its budget from ₦65 billion to ₦115 billion without a corresponding improvement in the monthly stipend received by beneficiaries.

He argued that the region needed leaders capable of protecting the interests of ordinary people rather than leaders perceived to be adding to their suffering.

Festus Eduru also joined the criticism, describing the IYC President in extremely harsh terms and questioning his leadership capacity.

BEN EMMA REOPENS THE TOMPOLO QUESTION

In another strongly worded response, Ben Emma directly challenged Doubra Okotete over the unresolved disappearance of the two Ijaw men.

Emma questioned whether the IYC President had made any meaningful public statement demanding answers from those allegedly connected to the disappearance.

He specifically referenced allegations involving Tompolo, Joshua MacIver and Bodmas Kemepadei.

According to Emma, the disappearance of Charles Kurobo and Balamene Karowei had remained unresolved for approximately two years, making the IYC leadership’s apparent concentration on defending influential personalities unacceptable.

Emma accused the IYC President of abandoning the council’s responsibility to ordinary Ijaw youths and warned that he would continue publicly challenging his leadership.

His central argument was that no influential personality should enjoy protection from public scrutiny when serious allegations concerning the disappearance of Ijaw citizens remain unresolved.

THE CHARLES KUROBO CASE: WHAT HAPPENED?

Charles Kurobo, a Bayelsa-born political figure, former aide to Governor Douye Diri and Chairman of the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators’ Leadership Forum (First Phase), was reportedly abducted from his residence along Opolo Road, Yenagoa, on November 19, 2024.

A report published by Vanguard on November 28, 2024, detailed allegations surrounding the incident.

His wife, Edith Thomas, reportedly alleged that approximately 15 vehicles arrived at their residence around midnight.

According to her account, the armed individuals wore uniforms resembling those of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Gunshots were reportedly fired before her husband was taken away.

His family subsequently raised concerns after the Bayelsa State Police Command and the Department of State Services reportedly denied having him in their custody.

Nearly two years after the reported incident, questions about his whereabouts and safety remain central to the controversy.

The situation became even more disturbing following allegations published by Tarakirivoice on August 14, 2026, in which Chief Pius Wariyai reportedly linked Joshua MacIver, Bodmas Kemepadei and Tompolo to the circumstances surrounding Kurobo’s disappearance.

Wariyai alleged that Kurobo was taken to Oporoza, Delta State, where he was allegedly held in a private facility.

These are serious allegations requiring independent investigation. They have not been established through a judicial finding.

Nevertheless, the family and concerned members of the public deserve clear answers.

WHY WAS KUROBO ALLEGEDLY TARGETED?

Questions have also emerged about whether Kurobo’s reported disappearance was connected to disagreements surrounding the Presidential Amnesty Programme and pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta.

Kurobo was reportedly outspoken about issues affecting ex-agitators, the management of the Amnesty Programme and the distribution of opportunities within the Niger Delta.

He was also reportedly critical of aspects of the pipeline surveillance arrangement involving Tantita Security Services Limited, associated with Tompolo.

This background has generated speculation about possible political and economic motivations.

However, no independently established evidence has conclusively demonstrated the motive behind his disappearance.

The authorities must investigate these questions rather than allow speculation to replace justice.

TIMI JAMES RUSHES TO DEFEND DOUBRA, TOMPOLO AND OTUARO

As criticism against the IYC President intensified, Timi James, Deputy National Director of Mobilization, IYC Worldwide, and a member of the 10th National Executive Council, issued a lengthy statement defending Doubra Okotete, Tompolo and the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro.

James accused Ben Emma of using the disappearance of Ijaw sons to score political points.

He insisted that there was no credible evidence, court judgment or security report linking Tompolo to any abduction or disappearance.

He challenged Emma to approach the police, DSS or courts if he possessed evidence.

James also defended Tompolo’s contribution to the Ijaw struggle, resource control and pipeline security through Tantita Security Services.

On the Amnesty Programme, he defended Otuaro’s administration, arguing that the increase in the programme’s budget was intended to support its various activities and beneficiaries.

He maintained that the IYC President was elected to unite Ijaw youths and protect the dignity of the council rather than encourage insults against prominent Ijaw personalities.

But his intervention has introduced another uncomfortable question into the controversy:

WHY DOES DEFENDING TOMPOLO APPEAR TO HAVE BECOME MORE URGENT THAN DEMANDING ANSWERS ABOUT THE WHEREABOUTS OF MISSING IJAW CITIZENS?

James may have every right to defend Tompolo against allegations he considers false. However, defending an individual does not remove the responsibility of youth leadership to demand transparent investigations into unresolved disappearances.

The IYC cannot expect ordinary youths to abandon legitimate questions simply because influential personalities are involved.

KUROBO’S BROTHER DELIVERS EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL WARNING

Perhaps the most emotional reaction came from Martins Kurobo, a brother of the missing Charles Kurobo.

Responding directly to Timi James, Martins expressed deep frustration over the continued controversy surrounding his brother’s disappearance.

He challenged James and others defending Tompolo to consider the pain experienced by families whose loved ones have allegedly disappeared.

In an emotional prayer, Martins called on God and the traditional spiritual forces of Ijaw land to allow those defending the alleged perpetrators, if they were indeed involved, to experience the pain, suffering and uncertainty endured by the affected families.

His reaction reflected the depth of frustration within a family that continues to seek answers about the whereabouts of its missing relative.

For Martins, this is not a social media argument, political disagreement or competition for relevance.

It is a family tragedy.

A brother is missing, and the family wants answers.

His emotional intervention raises a fundamental question: how long should a family wait before the disappearance of its loved one receives the urgency it deserves?

IYC LEADERSHIP UNDER PUBLIC SCRUTINY

The latest confrontation also recalls Tarakirivoice’s November 7 report on Apostle Lelegite Bokolo’s criticism of the Doubra Okotete-led IYC leadership.

Bokolo had challenged the council to concentrate on its campaign manifesto rather than appear to prioritise the protection of influential personalities.

He declared:

“They should focus more on their manifesto when they were campaigning for votes, and drop this selective justice, especially when it involves people with deep pockets.”

Bokolo’s criticism followed an earlier IYC statement warning against insults, cyberbullying and attacks against prominent Ijaw personalities, including Tompolo, Asari Dokubo, King Ateke Tom, former President Goodluck Jonathan, NDDC Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku and PAP Administrator Dennis Otuaro.

The controversy has now grown beyond the question of whether Ijaw leaders deserve respect.

It has become a debate about whether respect should prevent ordinary citizens from demanding accountability.

The IYC leadership must recognise that protecting the dignity of influential individuals and defending the fundamental rights of ordinary Ijaw people are not mutually exclusive responsibilities.

THE QUESTIONS TOMPOLO, IYC AND SECURITY AGENCIES MUST ADDRESS

The unresolved disappearance of Charles Kurobo and Balamene Karowei demands urgent attention.

The following questions deserve clear answers:

1. Where exactly are Charles Kurobo and Balamene Karowei?
2. Has the Nigerian Police or DSS established what happened to the two men?
3. Who organised the operation that reportedly took Charles Kurobo from his residence in Yenagoa?
4. What is the truth behind Chief Pius Wariyai’s allegations involving Joshua MacIver, Bodmas Kemepadei and Tompolo?
5. Were the missing men ever taken to Oporoza, as alleged?
6. If they are alive, why have their families not been given verifiable information about their whereabouts?
7. What concrete steps has the Doubra Okotete-led IYC taken to demand answers and support the affected families?
8. Why should Ijaw youths be discouraged from questioning powerful personalities when serious allegations remain unresolved?
9. Will Tompolo publicly address the allegations linking his name to the disappearance of these Ijaw sons?
10. Will the federal security authorities conduct an independent investigation and make their findings public?

IJAW YOUTHS MUST DEMAND ANSWERS, NOT ABANDON THE FAMILIES

The unfolding controversy presents a defining moment for the Ijaw Youth Council.

The council must decide whether its public interventions will be remembered primarily for defending influential personalities against social media insults or for standing firmly with ordinary Ijaw people when their rights and safety are threatened.

No individual, regardless of wealth, political influence, traditional recognition or contribution to the Niger Delta struggle, should be beyond legitimate public scrutiny.

Equally, allegations must be investigated rather than converted into established facts.

Tompolo deserves the opportunity to respond to the allegations against him, but the families of the missing men deserve something far more urgent: answers, transparency and justice.

Doubra Okotete and the 10th NEC must understand that Ijaw youths are entitled to demand accountability from every individual exercising influence over their affairs.

The demand for Charles Kurobo’s release, if he is being unlawfully detained, and credible information about his whereabouts must not be reduced to a political quarrel between social media personalities.

IJAW YOUTHS SHOULD PEACEFULLY MOBILISE, DEMAND AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND INSIST THAT EVERYONE CONNECTED TO THE CASE ANSWER QUESTIONS BEFORE THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES.

The families must not be abandoned.

The missing men must not be forgotten.

And the Ijaw struggle must never become a shield against accountability.

THE BIGGER QUESTION REMAINS: IF THE IYC CAN QUICKLY DEFEND TOMPOLO AGAINST SOCIAL MEDIA CRITICISM, WHY CAN’T IT DEMONSTRATE THE SAME PUBLIC URGENCY IN DEMANDING ANSWERS ABOUT CHARLES KUROBO AND BALAMENE KAROWEI?

TARAKIRIVOICE NEWS will continue to follow the controversy and demand answers without fear or favour.

Without Fear Nor Favour.