Niger Delta Group Calls For Govt Intervention Over Small Fire Alleged Illegal Activities

The Niger Delta Peace Initiative (NDPI) has raised serious security concerns over the alleged criminal activities of one Mr. Ebimene Abaka, popularly known as “Small Fire,” in Agoliyo community, who hails from Bilabiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The group alleged that Mr Ebimene Abaka popularly known as small fire has resumed criminal activities with the protection of federal security personnel in Agoliyo community.

In a statement signed by the group president, General Patrick John, on Tuesday, the NDPI alleged that Abaka, whom the group described as a publicly wanted individual, has resumed activities capable of heightening tension in the communities, and is allegedly being accompanied or protected by security personnel.

According to the group, Abaka was declared wanted by the government on the 3rd of April in 2021, over an alleged killing of one General Frank B. Seide on the 1st of April, 2021, and other criminal activities in Agoliyo, Amatu and Bilabiri communities, respectively.

The NDPI expressed concern that, despite the alleged status, he is purportedly moving around the affected communities with security personnel, which the group said could create fear among residents and further aggravate the existing dispute.

The organisation particularly questioned why security personnel, whose primary responsibility is to protect lives, maintain peace and enforce the law, would allegedly be used to accompany an individual facing such serious allegations.

General Patrick John condemned what he described as the alleged intimidation of innocent and law-abiding indigenes of Amatu, stressing that the presence of armed security personnel around a disputed area should be geared towards preventing violence rather than creating an atmosphere of fear or facilitating the activities of any individual.

The NDPI further alleged that Abaka has been involved in illegal black-sand mining, the alleged hijacking of company equipment and materials, and other activities in the Dodo River terrain.

The group said such allegations require urgent and impartial investigation by the relevant authorities.

The development comes against the backdrop of a longstanding land dispute between Amatu and Bilabiri communities over ownership and control of a portion of land in the Agoliyo area.

The dispute, according to the NDPI, has generated tension and allegedly resulted in attacks on some community members as well as the disruption of operations of companies working within the area.

The group alleged that some equipment and materials belonging to oil companies operating in the Dodo River terrain had been hijacked in the course of the dispute, further complicating an already sensitive security situation.

The NDPI maintained that the continued presence of armed personnel around the disputed territory should serve to de-escalate tensions and protect all parties, rather than allegedly provide an advantage to one individual or group.

“We are curious why security officers expected to make peace over a land dispute between Amatu and Bilabiri communities are allegedly guarding and protecting a known wanted individual to continue the perpetration of criminal activities against indigenes,” the group said.

Of particular concern to the peace group is its allegation that two gunboats carrying naval personnel and soldiers have allegedly been stationed in the waters around Bilabiri community in protection of the government wanted criminal.

The NDPI alleged that the deployment is connected to the protection of Abaka and further claimed that his alleged brother, Mr. Tekenane Abaka, facilitated the arrangement.

The group, however, called for an immediate and independent investigation into the allegation, stressing that security deployments in a conflict-prone area should be transparent, professional and directed towards protecting civilians and preventing further escalation.

It warned that the alleged use of security personnel to intimidate community members could undermine confidence in the security agencies and deepen mistrust among the affected communities.

The Niger Delta Peace Initiative called on the Federal Government, Bayelsa State Government and relevant security authorities to urgently intervene in the situation.

The group specifically urged the authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged security protection of Abaka and determine whether any security personnel have acted outside their lawful mandate.

It also called for a thorough investigation into the allegations of illegal mining, alleged hijacking of company equipment and materials, violent activities and other criminal accusations linked to the ongoing dispute.

According to the NDPI, resolving the underlying land dispute remains critical to restoring lasting peace between Amatu and Bilabiri communities.

The group urged the government to establish the facts surrounding the ownership dispute through the appropriate legal and traditional mechanisms, while ensuring that no individual or community takes the law into its own hands.

The peace organisation stressed that the situation should not be treated as a contest between communities but as a matter requiring the protection of lives, property, lawful business operations and public order.

It appealed to residents of Amatu, Agoliyo and Bilabiri to remain calm and avoid retaliatory actions capable of worsening the situation between the two neighboring communities.

The NDPI also called on security agencies to maintain neutrality and ensure that all allegations are investigated objectively, regardless of the identity or community affiliation of the persons involved.

The group said only a transparent investigation can determine whether the allegations against Abaka are true and whether security personnel have been improperly deployed to protect or assist him.

The NDPI reiterated that its primary concern is the preservation of peace and security in the Niger Delta, urging all parties to pursue lawful avenues for resolving the Amatu–Bilabiri land dispute.

It maintained that government intervention, an impartial investigation and the strict adherence to the rule of law are necessary to prevent further escalation and restore confidence among residents of the affected communities.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain the reactions of the accused persons, Mr. Ebimene Abaka, also known as Small Fire, and Mr. Tekenane Abaka, were unsuccessful.

Hotnews is not responsible for the report allegations contained in the statement by the Niger Delta Peace Initiative therefore remain allegations requiring verification and response from the relevant authorities and the persons accused.