“Mr. President, Act Now!”—Activist Urges Tinubu to Probe Allegations Involving Tompolo
By Passman Akpos
A fresh wave of allegations has sparked renewed debate over security and human rights in the Niger Delta, with Engineer Jude Gbaboyor questioning the silence of the Bayelsa and Delta State governments over claims that residents are being abducted in Bayelsa and allegedly taken across state lines into Delta State.
In a strongly worded public statement, Gbaboyor accused Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and members of his alleged network of operating with impunity despite repeated public allegations of unlawful detention, kidnapping, and human rights abuses.
He argued that earlier public reports and legal actions involving Tompolo should have prompted reforms, but instead alleged that similar incidents have continued to occur.
According to Gbaboyor, previous allegations involved Itsekiri victims who were reportedly held for more than two months in what he described as a private detention facility. He further claimed that individuals from the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups had also come forward in the past with allegations of kidnapping and abuse, with some reportedly seeking legal redress.
The statement also referenced allegations involving an Ijaw man popularly known as “Mr. Soft,” who was allegedly invited to Oporoza and detained for nine days, as well as another individual identified as Tunde Samson, who was reportedly taken from his home before later regaining his freedom following public criticism. Gbaboyor further alleged that Samson was warned not to publicly discuss the incident.
He also cited reports alleging that three Itsekiri youths from Ijaghala community were abducted and tortured, resulting in serious injuries before their release.
Based on these allegations, Gbaboyor questioned why the governments of Bayelsa and Delta States had not publicly addressed what he described as repeated cross-border abductions.
“Why have the governments of Bayelsa and Delta States remained silent while people are kidnapped in Bayelsa and taken across state lines into what has been described as a private detention facility in Oporoza Town?” he asked.
The statement also challenged the Federal Government to review pipeline surveillance contracts awarded to Tantita Security Services and called for an investigation into whether any conditions attached to Tompolo’s Presidential Amnesty had been violated.
Gbaboyor urged authorities to investigate all allegations through lawful means and, if any wrongdoing is established, ensure those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law.
He further advocated decentralising pipeline surveillance contracts across Niger Delta communities to prevent what he described as excessive concentration of security responsibilities in the hands of a single private operator
Addressing ethnic tensions, Gbaboyor appealed to the Itsekiri community not to associate the allegations against Tompolo with the entire Ijaw ethnic nationality, stressing that many Ijaw people had also allegedly been affected.
He urged anyone who believes they have suffered abuses to continue pursuing justice through the courts rather than resorting to violence.
No response from those named
As of the time of filing this report, Tompolo, Tantita Security Services, and the governments of Bayelsa and Delta States had not publicly responded to the specific allegations contained in Gbaboyor’s statement.
The allegations remain unproven, and no court has made findings establishing criminal liability in relation to the claims referenced. Authorities are yet to announce any official investigation arising from the latest statement.
