NSCDC, Tantita Thwart Pipeline Attacks, Arrest 17 Suspected Pirates and Vandals
…Suspects Allegedly Targeted Petroleum Minister, Attempted to Infiltrate Tantita
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 17 suspects linked to recent attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta.
In a statement on Monday, NSCDC spokesperson Afolabi Babawale disclosed that the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) apprehended the suspects following an assault on NSCDC operatives and personnel of Tantita Security Services, a private firm contracted by the Federal Government for pipeline surveillance.
During the attack, Assistant Superintendent Umar Aliyu (Service No. 6363) was killed, and a speedboat belonging to Tantita Security Services was stolen.
According to Commandant A.S. Dandaura, who led the operation, the suspects—a notorious syndicate of sea pirates—were captured on March 6, 2025, during a coordinated intelligence-led raid at Tonogbene, Ekeremo Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
Arrested Suspects 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
Recovered Items:
One AK-47 rifle
Two empty AK-47 magazines
Charms
15 Tantita Security uniforms
15 Tantita Security T-shirts
15 black boots
Dandaura also recounted a prior attack on January 21, 2025, when suspected vandals and sea pirates ambushed a joint security team of NSCDC and Tantita personnel at their base in Torugbene II, Ekeremo LGA, Bayelsa State. Armed with sophisticated weapons, the attackers opened fire indiscriminately, killing ASC Umar Aliyu and seizing his AK-47 rifle. A Tantita operative, Ebikame Seimeneyefa, was shot, and the security firm’s speedboat was hijacked.
Through persistent operations, security forces tracked and arrested the 17-member gang led by Ziakede Amatu, a known vandal, kidnapper, and armed robber from Norgbene, Bayelsa State.
Link to Petroleum Minister’s Attack
Investigations revealed that the syndicate was behind an attack on the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, at his residence on January 1, 2025.
Amatu admitted to engaging in illegal petroleum refining in Abonema, Rivers State, in 2023 under a notorious figure known as "Emergency," who later disappeared, leaving behind seven AK-47 rifles hidden in the forest. He later relocated to Bayelsa State, where community elders advised him to retrieve the weapons for “protection.”
Further findings indicated that Amatu had attempted to join Tantita Security Services but was rejected. Frustrated by his failed attempt, he allegedly acquired Tantita uniforms to impersonate security operatives while carrying out attacks on oil installations.
The suspects are accused of attempting to sabotage Tantita Security’s operations and tarnish the image of its chairman, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), after failing to secure a surveillance contract. Their activities ultimately escalated into the deadly attack on NSCDC and Tantita operatives.
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