WARRI — Community youths from Ijaghala in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have raised an alarm over their safety, revealing that former militant leader High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, ordered them to issue false public statements denying their recent abduction and torture.

Speaking through a spokesperson for the group, the victims stated that Tompolo and his enforcers issued direct threats to execute them if they disclosed the full details of what transpired during their detention to the press or on social media.

Forced Denials Under Gunpoint

According to the youths, the former militant leader instructed them to claim publicly that they were merely “invited for a peaceful dialogue” rather than abducted and brutalized.

“Tompolo asked us to publicly deny the assault on social media, claiming he only invited us. He warned that if we speak out about what actually happened, they will kill us.”

— Statement from the affected Ijaghala youths

The Incident: Abduction, Beatings, and Death Threats

The victims detailed a harrowing ordeal involving illegal arrest, physical violence, and coercion by armed men linked to Tompolo’s security network:

• Abduction from Community: The youths were forcibly seized from their locality by armed men acting on Tompolo’s directives and transported to a secure facility.
• Severe Assault: Once in custody, the youths reported being subjected to prolonged physical abuse, leaving several victims with severe injuries requiring urgent medical care.
• Coerced Social Media Videos: Before their release, the group was allegedly forced under duress to record video statements thanking Tompolo and denying any form of assault, torture, or unlawful detention.

Incident Summary

  LOCATION:            Ijaghala / Oporoza, Delta State
  ACCUSED:             High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) & security operatives
  VICTIMS:             Ijaghala Community Youths
  ALLEGED OFFENSES:    Abduction, severe assault, illegal detention, death threats, coerced statements
  CURRENT STATUS:      Victims issue public alert over safety; call on security agencies to intervene

Calls for Police and Human Rights Intervention

The victims’ public outcry has drawn immediate attention from community leaders, rights activists, and legal practitioners across the Niger Delta region.

Civic groups are now demanding an immediate investigation by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) into allegations of illegal detention and armed intimidation against private citizens.

Calling on federal authorities to guarantee their safety, the Ijaghala youths warned that any harm coming to them or their family members should be held directly against Tompolo and his private security operatives.