Tinubu is Not the Problem of Niger Delta, Pipeline Contractors Are – Ex-Agitator Amagbein
Former freedom fighter and self-styled General, Endurance Amagbein, has accused pipeline surveillance contractors of being the true enemies of peace in the Niger Delta, stating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not to blame for the region’s woes.
In a statement issued by his media assistant, Mr. Mightywind Dudafa, in Abuja on Sunday, Amagbein expressed deep concerns over what he described as the militarization and politicization of oil surveillance contracts in the region. He alleged that false information peddled by unscrupulous individuals within the Ijaw nation is being used by the military to target political opponents, disrupt communities, and suppress dissent.
Amagbein, who claims to have secured over 1,000 pipelines as a subcontractor under Tantita Security, said he has become a victim of persecution after switching political allegiance during the 2023 Bayelsa governorship election. He alleged that after supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) and working for Tinubu’s presidential victory, he was vilified and labelled a criminal for backing Senator Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the state level.
“The moment I told them I was going to support Senator Douye Diri, surveillance contractors with APC affiliations became angry and started feeding the military with false information. That’s why gunboats invaded Igbomotoru and killed over 50 unarmed persons, including my brother,” he said.
Amagbein accused these contractors of using chieftaincy disputes and community leadership elections as tools to spark communal crises and consolidate control over oil-rich territories. According to him, those who challenge their dominance are either denied their wages or branded as criminals.
He also appealed to the federal government and service chiefs to thoroughly investigate allegations before taking military action, warning that innocent lives are being lost due to politically motivated lies.
Calling for reforms, Amagbein urged President Tinubu to decentralize oil surveillance contracts to allow local communities manage security within their own domains, noting that a single contractor overseeing multiple territories creates conflict and breeds resentment.
“President Tinubu is not the problem of the Niger Delta,” Amagbein said. “The real problem is the greedy pipeline surveillance contractors who have hijacked the system and sabotaged peace efforts. Gunboat politics must end.”
Despite his ordeal, Amagbein reiterated his loyalty to the Tinubu administration and urged his supporters and fellow Ijaw agitators to continue supporting the federal government.
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