Eight indigenes of Tisun, Usor Communities whisked by Tompolo’s Tantita, not Security Agencies – Itsekiri Stakeholders

The Concerned Itsekiri Stakeholders and Groups, have dismissed insinuations that eight unnamed indigenes of Tisun and Usor Communities, in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, were arrested by security agencies in connection with the pipeline blast that recently occurred at Dibi-Olero-Abiteye trunk line and flow stations, saying, the eight persons were taken away by Officials of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo’s Tantita Security.

Fresh Angle International, can report that the claim, by Concerned Itsekiri Stakeholders and Groups, was made at Ijala-Ikenren, Warri, Delta State, Wednesday December 11, during a world press conference.

The Concerned Itsekiri Stakeholders and Groups, in their press statement read by Ojumude Tosan Bishop, explained: “Between November 20 and December 3, 2024, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, launched a series of attacks on Itsekiri communities in Warri North and South Local Government Areas, including Tisun, Usor, Kolo-kolo creeks, and Aja-Jelebe. Community members were reportedly subjected to random beatings, and their valuables, including foodstuffs, phones, and money, were reportedly stolen.

“Those who attempted to question the actions of the perpetrators, were reportedly taken hostage by the raiders/invaders, who were operating under the disguise of a private security outfit. As of the time of this press conference, the individuals who were forcibly taken from their communities to Oporoza community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, where their detention center is situated, had yet to regain their freedom, and their family members had received no information about their whereabouts or reasons for such action. The issue of pipeline blast, is totally different from raiding of communities.

“Apart from valuables looted during the raid, four persons each, were forcefully taken from Tisun and Usor communities. Aja-Jelebe a resettling community, almost two decades after it was totally destroyed during the Warri crisis, was once again destroyed by the raiders/invaders. Chevron private pipeline security workers on patrol duties in Kolo-kolo creeks, were equally intercepted, harassed and beaten.

“We want to state in strong terms that we are not going to sit and watch Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo using Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited to carry out an expansionist Ijaw agenda in Warri lands. Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo or Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, does not have the power whatsoever to operate a private detention center, as it is in flagrant violation of Section 34, 35, and 38 of the Nigerian Constitution.

“We want to make it clear that we will not have to wait for too long to protect ourselves, our immediate family, and our homeland. Any further illegal raiding/invasion will be repelled in an equivalent manner, not minding under which platform it is carried out by our ethnic neighbours.

“We therefore call for the unconditional release of the eight individuals forcefully taken from both Tisun and Usor communities.”

Ojumude further emphasized: “There is a difference between invading communities and arresting suspect. I believe the Nigeria Government did not give the Tantita security the power to raid or to arrest community indigenes. The fact is that you can not raid a whole community as regards to pipeline vandalization.

“If you suspect or arrest anyone involved in pipeline vandalization, after 24 hours, such person(s) should be charged to court. But this is 12 days and nobody has been charged to court.

“Information reaching us is that they are being held at Oporoza. If the government are the ones holding our brothers, they should come out and tell us.”

Chairman of Itsekiri Youths Elites, Comr. Lily-white O. Esigbone, who also spoke during the media briefing, called on the federal government to caution Tantita Security personnel against further raiding of Itsekiri Communities, saying resistance by the Itsekiri communities, could lead to fresh crisis in Warri.

Photo/Video Credit: Hitler Blessing

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