NSCDC Arrests 17 Suspects Over Attacks on Oil Installations in Niger Delta

Godsent Ogbebor

NSCDC Arrests 17 Suspects Over Attacks on Oil Installations in Niger Delta

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 17 suspects linked to recent attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

In a statement on Monday, NSCDC spokesperson Afolabi Babawale said the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) carried out the arrests after the suspects allegedly attacked NSCDC operatives and personnel of Tantita Security Services, a private firm contracted by the Federal Government for pipeline surveillance.

The attack led to the killing of Assistant Superintendent Umar Aliyu (Service No. 6363) and the theft of a speedboat belonging to Tantita Security Services.

According to Commandant A.S. Dandaura, who led the operation, the suspects a notorious syndicate of sea pirates were apprehended on March 6, 2025, in Tonogbene, Ekeremo Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The arrested individuals include:

• Ziakede Amatu
• Aaron Ekogbene
• Abilene Adeseotu
• Toukekenme Emmanuel Police
• Ken David Timiprey
• Ekogbene Isaac Pius
• Guy Tigan Victor
• Timothy Ebibakote
• Odebor Abade Joseph
• Zikena Kingsley
• Kelly Babylon
• Dide Tuboukebuleye
• ThankGod Ezu
• Godwin Aseyapwayei
• Timis Tokoni

Security forces recovered several items from the suspects, including an AK-47 rifle, two empty AK-47 magazines, charms, 15 Tantita Security uniforms, 15 Tantita Security T-shirts, and 15 black boots.

Dandaura recounted an earlier attack on January 21, 2025, when suspected vandals and sea pirates stormed a joint task force base in Torugbene II, Ekeremo LGA, Bayelsa State.

Armed with sophisticated weapons, they opened fire on officers and civilians, killing NSCDC officer Umar Aliyu and stealing his AK-47 rifle. Tantita Security operative Ebikame Seimeneyefa was also shot, while the attackers hijacked a security speedboat.

Following intelligence-led operations with support from other security agencies, authorities tracked and arrested the 17-man gang, led by Ziakede Amatu, a notorious criminal from Norgbene community in Bayelsa State.

Investigations revealed that Amatu had a history of involvement in illegal petroleum refining in Rivers State and was previously linked to an attack on the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, at his residence on January 1, 2025.

Amatu admitted that he had once attempted to join Tantita Security Services but was rejected. In response, he and his gang procured Tantita uniforms to disguise themselves as security operatives while sabotaging oil installations.

Their actions, according to investigators, were aimed at undermining Tantita’s operations and blackmailing its chairman, Ekpemupolo Owiezide Government (popularly known as Tompolo), after failing to secure a surveillance contract.

The NSCDC has assured the public that investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will face prosecution.

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