Activist Raises Alarm Over Alleged Militants’ Placement Of N25m Bounty On Him 

A United Kingdom (UK) based Bayelsa State Activist, Warmate Imgbi, has alleged that a Niger Delta Militant group, ‘Supreme Egbesu Liberation Fighters’ have placed a N25m bounty on his life following his continued criticisms of their activities in the oil rich region.

He alleged that trouble started when he condemned the latter’s activities connected to illegal oil bunkering and other nefarious acts in Bayelsa and neighbouring Delta States.

In a Press Statement made available to Newsmen, Imgbi said the Militants view his vocal environmental advocacy as a threat to their illegal and nefarious activities, hence were hell-bent on eliminating him.

The UK-based environmentalist noted that the militants, have in recent months, been tracking him via his verified X account where he has been highlighting the dangers of crude oil theft and unregulated refining in the Niger Delta region.

In his words “A certain militant leader, ‘General Simple’ has been cyber-bulling me very often. He showed me images and reports of my condemnation of their illegal and hazardous environmental activities they’re engaged in in the Niger Delta region. I’ve said time without number that they’ve been causing environmental degradation, oil spills, and pollution of water sources which are affecting thousands of residents.

“They threatened me, saying I’ve been undermining their operations. Even moreso, recently my family members based in parts of Bayelsa State have previously suffered attacks with their properties vandalised by armed men believed to be linked to the group.

“The Supreme Egbesu Liberation Fighters operate in the creeks of Bayelsa and neighbouring Delta States with a history of violent attacks and property destruction. In 2021, the Supreme Egbesu militants group had threatened to carry out attacks in Lagos and Abuja”.

According to him, illegal oil bunkering remains a thriving black-market trade in the Niger Delta, causing massive economic losses to Nigeria and long-term damage to the environment.

The Human rights activist therefore called on both the Nigerian and UK governments to take immediate steps to ensuring his safety.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the State Police Command, ASP Musa Mohammed and his counterpart from the State’s Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Diri Ogbere, stated that the activist has not officially briefed their commands of the alleged threats to his life due to his criticism of their illegal oil and environmental related hazards.

The duo, however, noted that their Commands, in partnership with sister security formations have been working relentlessly in curbing vandalism of national assets, especially oil and gas infrastructure, while also beefing security in the state to ensure the safety and protection of lives and properties of both citizens and the Government.