Tompolo Controversy Explodes As Ezekiel Daniel Is Taken Away In Abuja, Tantita GM Posts “We Won”

By Passman Akpos

ABUJA — Niger Delta activist and human-rights campaigner, Apostle Ezekiel Daniel Perela Osia, has reportedly been picked up from his residence in Life Camp, Abuja, in an incident that is already generating questions because of his highly publicised allegations against Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

Daniel said he was taken from his residence on Friday morning by men whose identities he said he could not independently establish.

According to the activist, one of the men who came to his residence was identified as Jerry, while several others accompanied him.

Daniel told a Tarakirivoice correspondent that he was subsequently taken to Agwa Cement Police Station in Abuja, where he was allegedly being kept pending his pickup or transfer by personnel from Force Headquarters.

«“I don’t know if they are police officers or not. I don’t trust them,” Daniel reportedly said.»

The activist further expressed concern over the identity and intentions of the men, saying that nobody could tell whether they were genuine security personnel or something else.

However, Tarakirivoice has not independently established that the men were assassins, and there is currently no verified evidence that an assassination attempt occurred.

WHY DID DANIEL GET PICKED UP?

The precise reason for Daniel’s reported detention remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Tarakirivoice has not independently confirmed whether the men were police officers, whether a formal arrest warrant was presented, or whether Daniel was acting on the basis of an official invitation.

The newspaper is seeking clarification from the Nigeria Police Force and Force Headquarters.

But the incident takes on particular significance because Daniel has recently been one of the most outspoken voices making allegations against Tompolo and Tantita.

TOMPOLO CONTROVERSY NOW UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

Daniel has publicly raised allegations involving alleged unlawful detention, torture, forced labour, intimidation and other alleged human-rights violations involving Tompolo, Tantita and individuals he associates with the organisation.

Those allegations remain allegations and have not been established as findings of a court or independent investigation. Tompolo, Tantita and other persons named in such allegations are entitled to respond.

Daniel has maintained that he wants the allegations independently investigated and has indicated that he is prepared to defend his claims through lawful proceedings.

Against that background, his reported pickup in Abuja has immediately raised a question that authorities may now need to answer:

Was Daniel’s reported detention connected in any way to the allegations he has been making against Tompolo and Tantita — or was it completely unrelated?

At present, there is no verified evidence establishing such a connection.

THEN CAME THE “WE WON” MESSAGE

Adding another layer to the controversy, Chief Pondi Godfrey Tare, identified as General Manager, Operations & Technical, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, posted a message on Facebook on Friday morning.

The message read:

«“To all Tantita field workersU guys arethe MVP✊🏿we Won— Tare Pondi.”»

The timing of the post has attracted attention because it came on the same day Daniel reported being picked up in Abuja.

But timing alone does not establish a connection.

Tarakirivoice cannot confirm that Pondi’s “We Won” message referred to Daniel, his reported detention, the police operation or any dispute involving the activist.

There is also no verified evidence presently establishing that Tompolo authorised, knew about, participated in, or had any connection to Daniel’s reported pickup.

Nevertheless, given Daniel’s highly publicised accusations against Tompolo and Tantita, the coincidence is likely to fuel further public questions.

WHO IS BEHIND THE OPERATION?

The central issue now is straightforward:

Who came for Ezekiel Daniel?

If they were police officers, Nigerians deserve to know:

– Which police unit authorised the operation?

– What offence is Daniel being investigated for?

– Who ordered his movement to Agwa Cement Police Station?

– Why was he allegedly awaiting pickup by Force Headquarters?

– Was a warrant issued?

– Was Daniel formally invited before the operation?

– Why was one of the men identified as “Jerry”?

– What exactly does the “We Won” statement by a Tantita executive mean?

And perhaps the most politically sensitive question:

Is there any connection whatsoever between Daniel’s reported detention and his allegations involving Tompolo and Tantita?

That question cannot be answered by speculation. It requires evidence and an official explanation.

TOMPOLO AND TANTITA FACE FRESH QUESTIONS

For an organisation operating in one of Nigeria’s most strategically important oil-producing regions, and for a prominent figure such as Tompolo, allegations of human-rights abuses naturally demand careful scrutiny when raised publicly.

At the same time, allegations must not be converted into established facts without evidence.

The same standard applies to the reported arrest of Daniel.

If the police operation was legitimate and unrelated to Tompolo or Tantita, authorities can clarify that.

If Daniel was arrested over a specific offence, the authorities can state the offence.

And if there is no connection whatsoever between the detention and the controversy surrounding Tompolo and Tantita, that too can be made clear.

Silence, however, leaves room for questions.

TARAKIRIVOICE DEMANDS ANSWERS

The public deserves factual answers, not rumours.

Who ordered Daniel’s pickup?

Why was he taken to Agwa Cement Police Station?

Why was he reportedly awaiting Force Headquarters personnel?

What is the legal basis for his detention?

And what exactly did Tare Pondi mean when he declared:

“WE WON”?

Until the relevant authorities provide answers, these questions will continue to hang over the incident.

Tarakirivoice is seeking an official response from the Nigeria Police Force and Force Headquarters and will update this report as verified information becomes available.