Ogidigba Faults Alleged Illegal Detention, Murder Claims Against Tompolo, Otuaro, Tantita

By Monday Peters Abuja

The Chairman of the Third Phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, General Godstime Ogidigba has condemned allegations of illegal detention, kidnapping, torture and murder leveled against High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, Dr. Dennis Burtu Otuaro, PhD, PAP Administrator and Tantita Security Services Limited.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, General Ogidigba described the allegations contained in a widely circulated open letter as “baseless, malicious and driven by selfish and ulterior interests.

He said the claims were targeted at dragging the High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, Dr. Dennis Burtu Otuaro, PhD, PAP Administrator and Tantita Security Services Limited to disrepute.

General Ogidigba noted that the allegations were made by Mr. Jude Gbabojor and Comr. Daniel Ezekiel whom he accused of engaging in a pattern of media blackmail against Niger Delta leaders.

“These individuals have made it a daily habit to accuse and attack leaders in the media, especially High Chief Tompolo, Dr. Otuaro and the management of Tantita Security Services, simply because they are not direct beneficiaries of certain programmes and contracts,” he said.

He stressed that the Niger Delta has a history of both good and bad actors, but warned that the region will no longer tolerate deliberate attempts to undermine leaders who are bringing development and peace.

The Third Phase Chairman aligned with an earlier position by the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI. In a statement dated 25th July 2026 and signed by its National President, Comr. Ozobo Austin. IPDI described the allegations as “false, malicious, defamatory and politically motivated.”

According to IPDI, High Chief Tompolo neither owns nor operates any private detention facility in Oporoza or anywhere in Nigeria. The group maintained that arrest and prosecution remain the constitutional responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, NSCDC and the courts.

On Tantita, IPDI stated that the company operates strictly under a Federal Government and NNPC contract to safeguard oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

General Ogidigba also highlighted the gains of the Niger Delta struggle, noting that thousands of youths have gained admission into universities through the PAP and NDDC scholarship schemes. He added that there is visible infrastructure development across the region, even as more work remains to be done.

“Through the sacrifices of our leaders, many of our youths are in school today. We are seeing roads, empowerment, and relative peace. We should be building on this progress, not destroying it with falsehood,” he said.

The PAP Third Phase Chairman called on the families and associates of Mr. Gbabojor and Comr. Ezekiel prevailed on them to desist from what he called “character assassination.”

He urged them to focus on productive ventures and self-development instead of depending solely on PAP and Tantita contracts.

“We will not fold our arms and watch Niger Delta leaders who mean well for our people be dragged in the mud through false and defamatory publications,” Ogidigba warned.

He concluded by reaffirming the commitment of Third Phase ex-agitators to peace, unity and the continued development of the Niger Delta region.