The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 17 suspected vandals implicated in the killing of an NSCDC officer during an operation targeting oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta.
In a statement released on Monday, the NSCDC spokesman, Afolabi Babawale, confirmed that the arrests were made by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) during a coordinated intelligence-based operation. The suspects are accused of orchestrating a violent attack on NSCDC operatives and Tantita Security Services personnel, which resulted in the death of Assistant Superintendent Umar Aliyu (Service No. 6363) and the theft of a speedboat belonging to Tantita Security Services.
According to the CG’s SIS Commander, Commandant Apollo Dandaura, the 17 suspects—identified as part of a high-profile syndicate of sea pirates—were apprehended following an intelligence-driven operation at Tonogbene, Ekeremo Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on March 6, 2025. The operation was conducted in collaboration with other security agencies.
Dandaura disclosed that the attack on NSCDC and Tantita Security Services took place on January 21, 2025, when suspected vandals and sea pirates—armed with sophisticated weapons—stormed the Joint Task Force base at Torugbene II, Ekeremo LGA. The assailants fired indiscriminately at security personnel and civilians, resulting in the death of ASC Umar Aliyu and the theft of his AK-47 rifle. A Tantita Security operative, Ebikame Seimeneyefa, was injured, and a Tantita speedboat was hijacked.
Following an intensive undercover operation conducted in coordination with Tantita and other security agencies, the 17 suspects were tracked and apprehended. Dandaura identified the ringleader as Ziakede Amatu, a notorious vandal, kidnapper, and armed robber from Norgbene community, Ekeremo, Bayelsa State. Amatu has been linked to various criminal activities in the region.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate was also responsible for an attack on the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, at his residence on January 1, 2025. Amatu reportedly confessed that he had been involved in illegal refining of petroleum products in 2023 in Abonnema, Rivers State, under a fugitive named “Emergency.” Amatu disclosed that the group had hidden seven AK-47 rifles in a forest, which he later retrieved upon advice from community elders, allegedly for self-protection.
Amatu further admitted that after his unsuccessful attempt to join Tantita Security Services, he procured Tantita uniforms to disguise his group during their criminal activities. He also confessed that the syndicate targeted Tantita Security Services as an act of blackmail after failing to secure subcontracts for surveillance work.
Recovered items from the suspects included:
- One AK-47 rifle
- Two empty AK-47 magazines
- Charms
- 15 Tantita Security uniforms (shirts and trousers)
- 15 Tantita Security T-shirts
- 15 pairs of black boots
Commandant Dandaura commended the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, for providing the squad with the necessary logistical support, which enabled the successful execution of the operation. He assured that the ongoing investigation would lead to further arrests and that all suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
