Soldiers Finally Arrest Suspected Associates of Tompolo

Soldiers have taken a step closer to the arrest of the highly elusive ex militant leader and suspected brain behind the Niger Delta Avengers group, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo yesterday.

According to the Vanguard, the military nabbed some reported close associates of the fugitive yesterday in Warri, Delta State. A dependable source said that two of them, including a member of Delta Waterways and Land Security Committee, DWLSC and ex-councilor were arrested by soldiers Tuesday morning. Many others were said to be on the run.

A source, who confirmed the arrest of Simon Bebenimibo and Bomboy Oluwa, said they were taken to the military barracks in Effurun.
Spokesperson of the Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, Mr Daniel Ezekiel, condemned the military for allegedly breaking into the residence of the DWLSC member through the roof and arresting him without a court warrant.

He said: “We condemn the military action of breaking in through the roof of Simeon Bebenimibo's home without a court warrant to arrest him, an act that amounts to kidnapping and abduction.

“This is barbaric, obnoxious and unlawful. The military has no such powers except empowered by a valid court warrant. It is sad and we are disappointed.

“It is very disappointing and it is our demand that those military officers, who conducted themselves as kidnappers should be court marshalled.

“Bebenimibo hails from Gbaramatu Kingdom and is a member of Delta State Waterways and Land Security Committee. The military invaded his home in Warri at 12.05 a.m., on Tuesday in three trucks in a commando fashion as if they were going to war.

“In the process, they subjected his entire household, among them his little kid of five years, to a traumatic experience."

Negotiations are currently ongoing with the Niger Delta Avengers who has disregarded peaceful negotiations to continue to spate of the destruction of oil facilities in the South-south region.