A foremost South-South group, Niger Delta Integrity Watchdog, has debunked reports that one Charles Korubo is being held hostage by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
One Jude Gbaboyor, in a video posted on Facebook, had alleged that Charles Korubo and others had been in Tomopolo’s custody since November 19, 2024.
“Mr. Charles Korubo has allegedly been transferred from Tompolo’s private cell in Oporoza to KFT House in the Kurute community, where he is reportedly chained at the legs,” Gbaboyor said.
He urged people he called victims of Tompolo to continue to speak out, as he has no legal right to operate a private prison.
But, while reacting, the group in a statement on Thursday signed by the group’s conveners, Oturubo Ijoukumo, Famous Ololobou and Samuel Ijeleba, debunked the allegations against Tompolo.
Tompolo’s firm, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), did what was necessary as a security outfit, the group said.
The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a video in circulation by one Jude Gbaboyor that various ethnic nationalities held hostage by Tompolo. This is totally false.
“The truth is that an arrest was made. for fact finding The job of a security company is to make arrests and hand them over to security agencies.
“Some people were arrested after the Chevron pipeline was blown up late last year. After the arrest, it is normal for a proper investigation to be made before involving security agencies. That was what Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) did.
“We think if they are really doing as alleged in the video, the whole community should have been burned down. Women, men, youths, and children in the community would have been tempered with, but they just went strictly for the suspect.
“So, the allegations are 99% false. We want to make it clear that Tantita is a security company and they are doing their professional job. They make arrests and hand over whoever is guilty to the security agencies. The information from Jude Gbaboyor should be disregarded by the general public.”
The group also commended Chief Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), for his “recent efforts in awarding 1700 scholarships and ensuring peace and stability in the Niger Delta region.”
They said more beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme are doing well and pursuing peace-oriented initiatives.
“To the Administrator of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) in the person of Chief Dennis Otuaro, we say well done. Our people know your worth and appreciate your efforts. You are a proud son of the soil who has delivered on the mandate of His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, GCFR. You have brought renewed hope. Please don’t be distracted by clout chasers,” the statement concluded.