Arrested Tompolo associates regain freedom

The Nigerian Army has released the three associates of ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly called Tompolo.

The associates, Simone Bebenimibo, Bomboy Oluba and driver to the Chief Security Officer, CSO to Tompolo, simply identified as Ayiri, were arrested on suspicions of belonging to the rampaging Niger Delta Avengers, NDA and knowing the whereabout of Tompolo.

Two of the suspects, Bebenimibo, a member of the Delta Waterways and Land Security Committee, DWLSC, Warri and Oluba are from Okerenkoko community, Gbaramatu kingdom in the state while Ayiri is an Itshekiri.

Speaking on his arrest and release, Bebenimibo claimed that he knows who orchestrated his arrest and detention.

He said: “Actually, I know nothing about the Niger Delta Avengers. I am a politician, a onetime councillor representing Gbaramatu ward, Okerenkoko, one- time SA on Security to Governor Timipre Sylva and presently, Member, Delta State Waterways and Lands Security Committee.

Read also: Army moves in troops, heavy weapons in Niger Delta

“Before I was arrested, I was receiving threat messages on my phone from one of my younger cousin, that I am part of the Niger Delta Avengers and that he is going to arrest me.

“I told him that if you are the one that is going to arrest me, I would be very proud because I would know where my problems are coming from, but though I never believed he was to go through with his plan,” he said.

Bebenimibo, who claimed his arrest was a setup, said he was taken away to the 3 Battalion, Effurun, near Warri, after soldiers broke into his house at about 1am before he was released alongside the two other suspects at about 6pm on Thursday.

“I cannot really tell what they found out in the course of my interrogation, but to the best of my knowledge, I am free of the allegations and that was why I was released unconditionally, but earlier, they were telling me that I am innocent of the allegations levelled against me. Personally, I am embarrassed by the incident.”

“I was interrogated severally while in custody. They asked if I know anything about the Niger Delta Avengers, I told them no.

“They also asked me who is Tompolo and who he is to me, I told them that Tompolo is my leader, my cousin and my Oga, but I do not know if he is the Avenger. However, that he is my brother, but I have not spoken with him for a while because of these problems and I do not know where he is”, he said.

By Timothy Enietan-Matthews

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