Omadino Leaders Call for Arrest of Tompolo, Tonlagha, Otuaro Over Land Grabbing

Leaders of the Omadino community in Warri Kingdom have called for the immediate arrest of Matthew Tonlagha, ex-militant leader, Thomas Oweizide  Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo and former Delta Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro over allegations of fraud and illegal land grabbing related to the pipeline surveillance contract in the Niger Delta.

At a recent press conference, Chief Priest Roland Yomere accused the trio of misleading the former National Security Adviser and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to unlawfully secure the contract. He further accused Otuaro of manipulating boundary adjustments during his tenure to benefit these interests.

Chief Priest Yomere stated that Tantita Security Services, the current contract holder, is not the rightful party for the pipeline surveillance work. He alleged that the top Gbaramatu figures deceived the government into believing that the entire area and pipeline facilities belong to the Ijaws of Gbaramatu. Yomere emphasized that the Omadino community, under the overlordship of the Olu of Warri, are the legitimate owners of the land and asserted that their community is the highest oil producer in the region.

The community also accused Tantita of using their contract as a front for land grabbing renaming communities, forcibly evicting Itsekiri residents from ancestral creeks, and engaging in illegal oil activities. Yomere further alleged complicity by some government officials and security operatives, claiming they have accepted payments to suppress the community’s grievances.

He revealed attempts by Tantita operatives to coerce communities such as Kantu and Ijaghala into declaring themselves as Ijaw, with plans to do the same in Omadino and Obodo. Empowerment programs and paid counter-protests are reportedly being used to sow division and undermine indigenous claims.

Another community leader, Oritseweyinmi Aginejuone, warned that the community might resort to force if the government fails to intervene, stating, “Tompolo does not have a monopoly on violence.”

Chief Priest Yomere called on the federal government and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to immediately halt Tantita’s contract and award pipeline surveillance to indigenous Itsekiri contractors with proven expertise.

He warned that continued government inaction would leave the community with no choice but to defend their land and people in the creeks, emphasizing the government’s duty to protect lives and property. Yomere added that Itsekiri workers in Jones Creek and Otunana are being forcibly removed from their homes while security forces stand by without intervening.

The Omadino community vowed to continue pursuing their demands through lawful means, insisting they will not relent in seeking justice and protection. They urged the federal government to act decisively before the situation worsens.