Niger Delta: Troops arrest Tompolo’s associates

Security operatives have nabbed two associates of former militant leader Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.

Simon Bebenimibo and Bomboy Oluba were arrested on Monday in an operation reportedly carried out by troops in the Niger Delta area.

The Nation quoted security sources as saying that the operation, which was part of a special search for the operatives and leaders of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), was executed after a careful planning and a period of trailing the suspects.

However, the Commanding Officer of the 3 Battalion, Effunrun Barracks, Delta State, Major Monday Anzaku, claimed he is not aware of the arrest.

The report quoted another security source as saying that the troops stormed the suspects’ hideout at about 11am on Monday.

“We stormed the hideout after intelligence revealed their abode. We have been on their trail for a while now but executed their arrests on Monday”, the source added.

Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI) spokesman, Mr Daniel Ezekiel, also confirmed the arrest.

He, however, castigated the military for allegedly breaking into one of the duo’s home through the roof and arresting him without a court warrant.

“We condemn the military action of breaking through the roof of Simeon Bebenimibo to gain unauthorised access into his privacy without a court warrant to arrest him, as such amount to kidnapping and abduction.

“This is barbaric, obnoxious, unlawful and incivility. The military has no such powers except empowered by a valid court warrant. It is so sad and we are disappointed”, he said in a terse statement.