𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗶 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝗱𝗼 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿, 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆

The traditional leadership and elders of the Bilabiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have called on the state government and security agencies to urgently intervene following escalating security threats and armed intimidation along the Dodo River waterways.

In a joint statement signed by High Chief Friday Gelu, High Chief Esau Olumofa, Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman Chief Tekenane Abaka, and CDC Secretary Ebike Adam, the community raised the alarm over the activities of heavily armed individuals terrorising local fishermen and riverine families.

According to the community leadership, twin brothers from the neighbouring Amatu 2 community, identified as Mr. Man Job and Mr. First-Boy Job, have been spotted repeatedly navigating the waterways with high-caliber firearms. The statement noted that their heavily armed presence has crippled local economic activities, instilling fear in women, traders, and fishermen who rely on the river for their livelihoods.

𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞
The Bilabiri leadership further alleged that the armed operations are being funded and logistically backed by Mr. Victor Isereke and Mr. Roland Isereke, operating from the Tantita Security Services office. The elders claim this tactical support is a deliberate attempt to use private force to oppress and intimidate Bilabiri residents.

The statement also slammed the actors for allegedly exploiting the name and reputation of prominent Niger Delta leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo. The community clarified that the rogue operations are a calculated attempt to tarnish Tompolo’s image by falsely associating Tantita’s official movements with criminal activities.

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬
Addressing underlying tensions, the Bilabiri leaders disputed any claims justifying pipeline surveillance contracts for the Amatu community.

“Contrary to claims circulated in some quarters, the Amatu community has no oil pipeline traversing its territory and therefore does not meet the criteria for any surveillance contract in this area,” the statement read. “Surveillance and security contracts must be awarded transparently and only to communities hosting pipeline infrastructure. Awarding contracts where no pipelines exist is a recipe for abuse and a threat to peace.”

𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
While emphasizing their commitment to peace and harmonious coexistence with their neighbours, the Bilabiri community and the entire kingdom insisted they would not succumb to lawlessness or intimidation. They demanded the following immediate actions:

• 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: An immediate probe by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, alongside relevant federal security agencies, into the armed patrols, the roles of Mr. Victor Isereke and Mr. Roland Isereke, and the alleged involvement of the Tantita Security Services office.
• 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: A total halt to all Tantita Security Services activities within Bilabiri territorial land and waters until a transparent inquiry is concluded.
• 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: A call on influential regional actors, including Tompolo, to intervene directly and ensure that the sponsors of the intimidation desist immediately.
• 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞-𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: The deployment of lawful security agencies to patrol the Dodo River, guarantee safe navigation, and protect the livelihoods of riverine communities.

The leadership urged the media, civil society organisations, and the public to monitor the situation closely to prevent a breakdown of law and order, warning that continued inaction could inflame communal tensions and disrupt regional peace.