Amatu Community Demands Action Against Ex-Militant Leader Over Security Threats

The leadership of Amatu Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has called on the Bayelsa State Government and the Federal Government on escalating security threats of arms intimidation and hijacking of materials belonging to Amatu and Bilabiri communities.

The community leadership also called on security agencies, including a prominent Niger Deltan, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, as a matter of urgency to intervene on the escalating security situation, and restore peace in the communities.

In a statement signed by its CDC Chairman, Mr. Firstboy Job, CDC Secretary, Mr. Joseph Seimode, and Youth President, Mr. Dennis Ebifiegbene, alleged that an indigene of neighbouring Bilabiri Community, identified as Mr. Ebimene Abaka, popularly known as “Small Fire,” and members of his group have allegedly been involved in a prolonged pattern of harassment and intimidation along local waterways and settlements.

The allegations, however, are claims made by the community leadership and have not been independently established, and urged the relevant security authorities to investigate the allegations and establish the facts.

According to the Amatu leadership, the alleged activities have adversely affected peaceful economic activities and community development in the area and neighboring communities.

The community claimed that materials and supplies meant to support development under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) arrangement were allegedly intercepted and taken away.

It further alleged that residents and workers operating around the Agholiyo, also known as Amatu Ilaje settlement, have repeatedly faced harassment, with fishing catches allegedly seized from local boats.

The statement also alleged that working equipment and bags of black sand belonging to labourers operating with land permits issued by Amatu landowners were confiscated.

The community said the alleged incidents had created an atmosphere of fear among residents and could undermine legitimate economic activities in the coastal environment if left unchecked.

The situation reportedly escalated on Monday, August 17, 2026, when representatives of Amatu travelled to Bilabiri Community at about 3:15 p.m.

According to the community, the delegation was unarmed and went to appeal to the Bilabiri leadership to caution their kinsman and facilitate the return of allegedly seized working tools.

The representatives reportedly gave a 24-hour window for the matter to be addressed, stressing that the objective of the visit was to prevent further escalation and preserve peaceful relations between the neighbouring communities.

The Amatu community leadership said tension increased two days later, on Wednesday, August 19, when youths from Amatu returning from an errand in neighbouring Iduwini Community passed through the Bilabiri waterfront.

The community alleged that Mr. Small Fire and associates laid an ambush and opened fire on two boats carrying the Amatu youths. According to the report, the occupants managed to navigate past the area while chanting traditional Egbesu songs, while the alleged attackers reportedly fled into the surrounding bush.

The community described the incident as a serious security concern, particularly because the waterways are vital transportation routes for residents, fishermen, workers and traders in the coastal communities.

The leadership further appealed to security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation, identify those responsible and prevent further armed confrontations in the community and environs.

The community also rejected allegations circulating on social media that the incident was part of a planned attempt by Amatu youths to invade Bilabiri. It specifically dismissed allegations against Mr. Firstman Job and Mr. Firstboy Job, who it said were among those leading the transit team, as well as their colleague, Timakawei Ebiyekon.

The leadership insisted that its representatives who visited Bilabiri on August 17 went there to seek a peaceful resolution and demand the return of allegedly seized working materials. It also rejected claims linking the Paramount Ruler of Iduwini Kingdom, King Joel Iban (Ogiobo IX), to any preparation of traditional charms in connection with the incident.

The community equally dismissed allegations against personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Tantita security operatives stationed at their respective duty posts, saying those claims should not be used to divert attention from the alleged security challenges requiring investigation.

The Amatu community leadership further expressed concern over what it described as a history of alleged violence associated with Mr. Small Fire, and raised concerns about the safety of foreign workers and others, alleging that one Gen. Seide was killed with a firearm and linked the incident to what it described as the same pattern of violent conduct.

The community claimed that residents of Bilabiri and surrounding areas were also increasingly frustrated by the alleged activities attributed to him. It made particular reference to the death of Gen. Frank B. Seide, whom it described as a respected son and militant commander from Bilabiri who was widely known in the community and across Bayelsa State.

However, the community’s allegation regarding responsibility for his death requires independent investigation and should not be treated as an established fact without corroborating evidence.

The community said the death remains a painful issue and appealed to the authorities to investigate unresolved violent incidents in the area rather than allowing accusations and counter-accusations to fuel further conflict.

The leadership alleged that the recent threats and intimidation were intended to create fear among Amatu residents and potentially facilitate an attempt to kidnap Chinese nationals involved in mining-related activities within Amatu territory.

The allegation has not been independently verified, but the community said it should be taken seriously by security agencies because any attempted kidnapping or attack on workers could further destabilise the area and damage legitimate economic activities.

The community leadership therefore called for heightened surveillance and preventive security measures around the waterways, mining locations and settlements.

Against the backdrop of the allegations, the Amatu leadership appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and all relevant security commands in the state, including the Tantita Security Services to urgently intervene.

The community also called on High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, whose security organisation operates in the Niger Delta under government-approved arrangements, to assist in restoring peace and preventing further escalation.

The community leaders said their objective was not to promote confrontation but to ensure the safety of residents and protect legitimate community development activities.

They urged security agencies to thoroughly investigate all allegations, recover any allegedly seized materials, identify individuals responsible for criminal acts and ensure that nobody uses communal identity or armed groups to intimidate innocent residents.

The Amatu community leadership stressed that the people of the area desire peace and sustainable development and should not be forced to live under fear because of activities allegedly carried out by individuals or armed groups.

The community appealed to the leadership of Bilabiri community and other neighbouring communities to cooperate with security agencies in resolving the dispute and preventing reprisals.

The community also urged residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands, warning that retaliatory attacks could worsen an already delicate security situation in the community and neighboring communities.

The people of Amatu said it remains committed to peaceful coexistence with neighbouring communities and would continue to pursue lawful channels for the protection of its people, property and development interests.

The community maintained that only a transparent investigation by competent authorities can establish the facts surrounding the alleged shootings, hijacking of materials, previous violent incidents and reported threats to workers in the area.

The community further called on relevant authorities for prompt intervention and action before the situation degenerates into a wider communal crisis. It’s pertinent to note that hotnews is not responsible for individual views on this publication.