“I’m an Eyewitness—Sue Me!” — Apostle Ezekiel Daniel Accuses Tompolo of Kidnappings, Calls Him ‘Most Wicked Man in Ijaw Nation’

By Passman Akpos

A fresh controversy has erupted in the Niger Delta after Apostle Ezekiel Daniel publicly challenged High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, and the signatories to a recent press statement published in The Punch newspaper to institute legal action against him over a series of allegations he has made against them.

Daniel, in a statement made available to Tarakirivoice, declared that he is prepared to defend every allegation before a court of competent jurisdiction, insisting that his claims are based on firsthand knowledge rather than hearsay.

“If my allegations are false, take me to court,” Daniel stated, maintaining that legal proceedings would provide an opportunity for all parties to present evidence under oath.

The challenge follows a press statement published in The Punch on August 1, 2026, by a group identified as the Operation Rescue Ijaw Nation Crusaders, which defended Tompolo and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited against allegations contained in an earlier publication titled “Beyond Pipeline Security: Battle Over Tantita’s Operations in the Niger Delta.”

The statement, signed by Comrade Awipi Lawson, Ambassador Timi Coleman, Comrade Ellington Bakumo, Barrister Jeff Oromoni, Comrade Sokoto Dennis Binikoribofa, Comrade Timi Julius Igbiriki, Comrade Moses Omare, Comrade Darikoro E. Darikoro, Comrade Raphael Ayeibo, and Aruwei Keme Aleloya Keme, argued that allegations are not evidence and stressed that every Nigerian is entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court.

The group rejected claims that Tantita operates illegal detention facilities in Oporoza or that its Chairman supervises torture, unlawful detention, abduction, or intimidation, describing such allegations as serious criminal accusations that must be supported by credible and legally admissible evidence.

They further noted that the publication acknowledged the absence of documentary evidence and referenced statements from the Delta State Police Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which reportedly said they had no record of such alleged detention facilities or related complaints.

According to the group, Tantita Security Services is a Federal Government contractor supporting the protection of critical oil infrastructure in collaboration with recognised security agencies and has no constitutional authority to detain or imprison individuals.

However, Apostle Daniel dismissed the group’s defence as false.

He alleged that illegal private detention facilities, kidnappings, torture and killings have taken place in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, under Tompolo’s supervision.

Daniel claimed he personally witnessed victims allegedly being tortured by individuals he identified as Ekomieyefa Uduboh and Super Ebilade before they were allegedly transferred to a private detention facility where, according to him, some victims were held for days, weeks, months and, in some cases, years.

He further alleged that some survivors remain alive and can testify about their experiences.

Among the cases cited were the alleged abductions of Charles Korubo and Balamene Karowei, whom Daniel claimed were taken to Oporoza Town. He also alleged that Bodmas Kemepadei participated in the purported kidnapping operation.

Daniel additionally disputed an earlier public denial by Mr. Tunde Tamara-Ebikemiyan, alleging that the Facebook statement denying his abduction was made under pressure before it was later removed.

He also claimed to possess evidence regarding the alleged kidnapping of a man identified as Samson, asserting that the evidence would be presented before a competent court if legal proceedings commence.

Describing Tompolo as “the most wicked man in the Ijaw nation,” Daniel accused him of relying on loyal supporters to defend his public image whenever allegations emerge.

He further claimed that petitions containing allegations of kidnapping, illegal detention, human trafficking, forced labour and murder have been submitted to members of the international community.

Daniel warned that if Nigerian authorities fail to investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable, international institutions may become involved.

Meanwhile, the Operation Rescue Ijaw Nation Crusaders maintained in their publication that anyone with evidence of criminal conduct should submit it to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Human Rights Commission, or other competent investigative authorities rather than pursue what they described as media campaigns.

The group reiterated that the rule of law, due process and responsible journalism should remain the basis for resolving disputes involving serious criminal allegations.

Tarakirivoice reports that the allegations made by Apostle Ezekiel Daniel are disputed. Tompolo, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, and the Operation Rescue Ijaw Nation Crusaders have publicly denied the allegations and have called for any evidence to be presented to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation. At the time of filing this report, no court has determined the truth or otherwise of the allegations.