In a decisive operation, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’S SIS) has apprehended 17 individuals suspected of orchestrating renewed attacks on oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta region. The suspects are also alleged to have attacked NSCDC operatives and a Tantita Security Services base, resulting in the tragic death of Assistant Superintendent Umar Aliyu and the theft of a Tantita speedboat.
Commandant AS Dandaura, Head of the CG’S SIS, revealed that the high-profile syndicate of 17 suspected sea pirates was apprehended on March 6, 2025, following an intelligence-led operation in Tonogbe, Ekeremo Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies.
“Earlier in January 21st, 2025, there was an attack against the Joint Task Force combining operatives of the NSCDC and Tantita Security Services at their Base in Torugbene II unit at Ekeremo LGA in Bayelsa State by suspected vandals and Sea pirates who were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons,” Commandant Dandaura stated. “Upon arrival at the base, they shot sporadically at the officers and innocent civilians which led to the killing of ASC Umar Aliyu, the carting away of his official AK-47 rifle, the shooting of Ebikame Seimeneyefa of Tantita Security, and the hijacking and stealing of a Tantita speedboat.”
Commandant Dandaura emphasized the intensive undercover and investigative work carried out in synergy with sister security agencies and Tantita Security, which ultimately led to the successful tracking and apprehension of the 17 suspects. “We mounted a round-the-clock and relentless onslaught against the suspects in collaboration with sister security agencies and the Tantita Security and succeeded in smashing the 17 deadly Sea pirates led by a notorious vandal, kidnapper, and armed robber called Ziakede Amatu,” he affirmed. Amatu, hailing from Norgbene community in Ekeremo, Bayelsa State, is alleged to have been terrorizing the community and neighboring states.
Preliminary investigations by the CG’S SIS revealed that the suspects volunteered information implicating the same syndicate in an attack against the State Honourable Minister of Petroleum, Hon. Lokpobiri Heineken, at his residence on January 1st of this year.
Further confessions revealed a history of criminal activity, including illegal refining operations and the acquisition of firearms. The suspect Ziakede Amatu, after a failed attempt to join Tantita Security Services, allegedly procured Tantita uniforms to disguise his renewed attacks on oil installations, aiming to sabotage Tantita’s efforts. This hostility is believed to have stemmed from their inability to secure surveillance contracts sublet by Tantita Security Chairman, Ekpemupolo Owiezide Government (Tompolo).
Exhibits recovered during the operation include one AK-47 rifle, two empty AK-47 magazines, charms, fifteen sets of Tantita Security uniform (shirt and trouser), fifteen Tantita Security T-shirts, and fifteen pairs of black boots.
The Commander of the CG’S SIS expressed gratitude to the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for providing the necessary logistical support that enabled the squad’s significant achievements in combating crime, illegal bunkering, and dislodging criminal elements in the Niger Delta. He assured that thorough investigations are ongoing, and other suspects will be apprehended and brought to justice.
BELOW IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE PRESS STATEMENT:
NSCDC FOILS RENEWED PLANED HOSTILITY ON OIL PIPELINE INSTALLATION ARREST KILLERS OF PERSONNEL SAYS 17 HIGH PROFILE VANDALS/ SEA PIRATES NOW IN CUSTODY WITH RECOVERED FIRE ARMS.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad [CG’S SIS] in a tactically coordinated Intelligence base operations have arrested 17 suspects for the alleged role played in a renewed hostility attack on oil and gas Installations in the Niger Delta region, attacking NSCDC Operatives and Tantita Security Service base which led to the killing of Assistant Superintendent Umar Aliyu with Service number 6363 and stealing of a speed boat belonging to Tantita Security Services.
Speaking on the arrest, the CG’S SIS Boss Commandant AS Dandaura hinted that a high profile syndicates of 17 sea pirates were arrested by his men in synergy with other sisters security agencies, following an intelligence base coordinated operations at Tonogbe, Ekeremo Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on the 6th March, 2025.
“Earlier in January 21st, 2025, there was an attack against the Joint Task Force combining operatives of the NSCDC and Tantita Security Services at their Base in Torugbene II unit at Ekeremo LGA in Bayelsa State by suspected vandals and Sea pirates who were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons”.
“Upon arrival at the base,they shot sporadically at the officers and innocent civilians which led to the killing of ASC Umar Aliyu, his Ak 47 official Riffle was carted away, Ebikame Seimeneyefa of Tantita Security was shot and Tantita Speed Boat was also hijacked and stolen”.
Commandant Dandaura relayed that an intensive undercover and investigative operation was carried out in synergy with sisters security agencies and Tantita, which led to successful tracking and arrest of the 17 suspects.
“We mounted a round the clock and relentless onslaught against the suspects in collaborations with sisters security agencies and the Tantita Security and succeeded in smashing the 17 deadly Sea pirates led by a notorious vandal, kidnapper and armed robber called Ziakede Amatu, who hails from Norgbene community in Ekeremo, Bayelsa State and has been terrorizing the community and all neighbouring states “.
From our preliminary investigation carried out by the Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad squad, the suspects volunteered the following information stating that the same syndicate launched attack against the State Honourable Minister of Petroleum, Hon. Lokpobiri Heineken at his residence on the 1st of January this year.
“According to the kingpin, while engaging in illegal refining of petroleum products in 2023 at Abonima Rivers State, he worked under another notoriuse suspect called “Emergency ” (Original name unknown); they had 7 Ak 47 which was kept safe in the forest but after refining the products one day the suspect Emergency left suddenly and never returned.
Ziakede Amatu later migrated from Rivers to Bayelsa State and hinted some Elders in his community about the seven [7] Ak 47 Riffles in which he was advised to withdraw them from the hide out and use them to protection of the community.
The Suspect, Ziakede after a failed attempt to join the Tantita Security Services, procured Tantita Security Services uniforms to use in his renewed hostility attack on oil installations in order to divert attention, disguise and destroy the good work of Tantita Security while carrying out their dastardly act.
Further confession revealed that the suspects embarked on this mischievous blackmail against the Tantita Security Chairman, Ekpemupolo Owiezide Government aka Tompolo since they could not infiltrate and get some Surveillance contracts sublet to them; hence the move to vandalise Oil and Gas Installations and this culminated to the attack on NSCDC and Tantita Operatives, leading to the killing of the late officer.
The names of the suspects arrested during the operation are:
Ziakede Amatu,
Aaron Ekogbene ,
Ebimene 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,
Ken David, Timiprey Ekogbene, Isaac Pius, Guy Tigan Victor, Timothy Ebibakote, Odebor Abade Joseph, Zikena Kingsley, Kelly Babylon, Dide Tuboukebuleye, ThankGod Ezu, Godwin Aseyapwayei and Timis Tokoni.
Exhibits recovered are as follows:
One (1) AK47 Riffle.
Two (2) empty Ak47 magazines,
Charms,
Fifteen (15) Tantita Security uniform (shirt and trouser),
Fifteen (15) Tantita Security T-shirt,
Fifteen (15) black boots.
While addressing our correspondents the Commander CG’S SIS thanked the NSCDC Commandant General Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni, OFR for enabling the Squad to carry out her responsibilities with necessary logistic support which has engendered its remarkable achievements in fighting crimes and criminalities, combating illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta, carrying out Investigative operations and dislodging criminal minded persons from their hideouts.
He noted that with the ongoing thorough investigation, other suspects would be apprehended in due course and made to face the full wrath of the law.
SIGNED:
CSC AFOLABI BABAWALE Anipr.
NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
NSCDC NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS ABUJA.
