Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A group of youths from the Ijaghala community in Warri, Delta State, have come forward with harrowing allegations of abduction, brutal assault, and intimidation against former Niger Delta militant leader and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Government Oweizidei Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo. In a video seen by SaharaReporters, the victims displayed visible injuries—bruises and marks on different parts of their bodies—which they claimed were sustained during an alleged assault by Tompolo and his associates. The allegations have been further amplified by a formal petition to President Bola Tinubu, which draws a chilling historical parallel between the alleged operations in Oporoza and the atrocities of Nazi Germany.
According to the victims, Tompolo allegedly instructed them to publicly dismiss reports circulating on social media that they had been kidnapped, insisting they claim they had merely been invited. They further alleged that they were warned they would be killed if they disclosed what had actually happened to them. One of the victims recounted the ordeal in the video, saying: "Yes, he said, 'As you came over here, people on the other side of social media are saying you were kidnapped. Go and tell them you were not kidnapped; you were invited.' But who invited us? They invited us only to beat us and send us back". Another victim pointed to visible injuries on his face and ears while appealing for government intervention. "Look at my ear. This is not how my ear used to be. Look at my eye as well. One of those boys hit me in the eye. I am still in serious shock because I have never experienced anything like this before," he said. The victims called on President Bola Tinubu and other relevant authorities to investigate the allegations, saying they feared for their safety if urgent intervention was not made.
The allegations have been further substantiated by an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu by Apostle Perela Osia Daniel Ezekiel, who described himself as a human rights advocate. The letter, titled "Urgent Appeal to Stop the Illegal Prisons, Kidnappings, and Torture in Oporoza by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo)," accused Tompolo of operating four illegal private detention facilities in Oporoza Town, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. Quoting Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, the letter stated: "'The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.' It is this profound truth that compels me to write to you today regarding the reign of terror unfolding in the riverine communities of Delta State".
Drawing a historical comparison, the letter stated: "Between 1939 and 1945, Adolf Hitler's regime abducted millions across Europe and held them in concentration camps like Auschwitz-Birkenau, subjecting them to forced labour, torture and death. Mr. President, a similarly shocking atrocity is taking place in Oporoza right now". The petitioner alleged that a group operating from Oporoza House in Gbaramatu Kingdom, led by Tompolo, had established "a network of terror characterised by ruthless oppression, abductions and systematic torture" targeting residents of the Niger Delta, particularly members of the Ijaw ethnic group.
The letter further identified four individuals allegedly responsible for overseeing the operations: Ekomieyefa Uduboh, described as the chief operator of the alleged torture chambers; Tare Pondi, identified as Tompolo's cousin and the alleged leader of abduction operations; Super Ebilade, accused of heading an armed squad allegedly responsible for invading communities and abducting critics; and Bodamas Kemepadei, alleged to coordinate cross-border abductions across neighbouring states. The petitioner alleged that operatives routinely invaded communities across the Niger Delta to abduct individuals who criticised Tompolo, and that officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to Tantita Security Services were used to transport victims to Oporoza in handcuffs and leg chains. Victims allegedly suffered severe beatings, torture and pepper attacks while in detention.
The petition questioned the legal basis for the alleged operations: "Does any contract signed between the Federal Government and Tantita Security empower Tompolo to abduct and detain Nigerian citizens across state lines? Under what law in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a private citizen permitted to operate illegal prisons and usurp the statutory detention powers of state security agencies?". The petition listed several individuals allegedly abducted, detained or tortured. Those said to remain in detention include Balamene Karowei, allegedly abducted from Bayelsa State on July 11, 2024, and Charles Korubo, allegedly abducted from Bayelsa State in November 2024. The petition further claimed that Patrick Peresuodei died after allegedly being tortured by Bodamas Kemepadei and four NSCDC officers following a social media dispute. It also alleged that Tompolo offered ₦50 million to the deceased's parents to discourage further action, an offer the family reportedly rejected. The letter also listed several individuals said to have been released after alleged detention, and named others as alleged victims of unlawful detention and abuse.
These allegations have intensified scrutiny of Tantita's operations in the oil-rich Niger Delta. While Ezekiel urged the Federal Government to investigate the claims and dismantle the alleged detention centres, Tantita, community leaders, security agencies and civil society groups have strongly denied the allegations, insisting there is no evidence to support them and calling for an independent investigation. Tantita, owned by Tompolo, is contracted by the Federal Government to protect critical oil infrastructure from vandalism and crude oil theft. The rights advocate alleged that Tompolo was using the Federal Government's pipeline surveillance contract to settle personal scores and oppress people in the Niger Delta.
The petitioner also alleged that personnel of the NSCDC attached to Tantita "are actively used to drag citizens to Oporoza in handcuffs and leg chains". According to the petitioner, the alleged victims cut across the Itsekiri, Urhobo and Ijaw ethnic groups, whom he claimed had been subjected to "harsh conditions, severe intimidation, hard labour and torture". In the petition, Ezekiel listed several individuals whom he alleged were victims of unlawful detention, abduction and abuse linked to Tompolo's operations, urging President Tinubu to order an independent investigation into the claims.
The petitioner said he was prepared to cooperate with any official investigation. He urged President Tinubu to order an immediate investigation, dismantle any illegal detention facilities found to exist, prosecute anyone responsible for murder or torture, and secure the release of any persons found to be unlawfully detained. As of the time of this report, Tompolo and Tantita Security Services have not issued a formal public response to the specific allegations contained in the video and the petition. However, previous allegations against Tompolo and Tantita have been met with strong denials from the company and its supporters, who have described them as politically motivated attacks. The Federal Government has also not issued an official statement on the matter.
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