Fleeing Militant Leader, Amagbein Being Shielded In Bayelsa Govt House, Group alleges

The Urhobo Renaissance Assembly, has alleged that fleeing militant leader, Endurance Okodeh, popularly known as Amagbein, is purported being protected at the Government House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital.

Amangbein, is alleged to be behind the group which reportedly murdered four army officers and twelve soldiers at Okuama community in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State last week.

Urhobo Renaissance Assembly, in a letter signed by its President, Austin Esiri, urged military authority to shift their focus to Bayelsa Government House as it intensified operations to apprehend the prime suspect, Endurance Okodeh and his accomplices.

In the letter addressed to LT. General Taoheed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, Esiri noted that the tragic incident, which occurred on Thursday, 14th March 2024, has left a deep scar on the Nigerian Army and the families of the fallen heroes.

According to the group, all indications point to ‘General’ Amangbein, a notorious figure who hails from Gbomtoro community in Bayelsa State.

Esiri said that Amangbein has a history of confrontations with the military, resulting in the loss of lives on the side of security personnel.

To this end, the group urged the military to direct its search efforts towards the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa, where Endurance Okodeh is believed to have significant ties and influence.

Esiri said in the letter: “Available reports have it that the Commanding Officer of 181 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Bomadi, Delta State, Lt. Col. A. H Ali, who was gruesomely murdered alongside 3 officers with 12 soldiers of the battalion on Thursday, March 14th , 2024, was a cog in the wheel of Amangbein illicit crude oil business, since he assumed command of the Brigade in Bomadi.

“The murdered Army Commander was therefore marked down for elimination by Amagbein and his boys. And he seized the opportunity of the Okuama/Okoloba crisis to execute his vengeance on the officer and his troop on that ill fated Thursday.

“The mother of Amagbein hails from Okuama, Ughelli South LGA in Delta State, while his father is from Gbomotoru, an Ijaw community in the Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State.

“The search for Amagbein by the Military should go beyond Gbomotoru Community. The military operation in that axis is bound to be futile, its brunt is borne by innocent law abiding citizens of the community.

“The operation should home – in on the Bayelsa State Government House, Yenagoa. Amagbein and his cohorts are known allies of Governor Douye Diri. The fugitive and his militants worked as thugs for Douye Diri re-election in 2023.

“For the above reason, the governor is very protective of Amagbein and his boys. He has now and then, played host to them in government house. They go in and out for operations for illegal operations. It is their safe Haven.

“As valuable political allies, Gov. Diri sees this incidence as pay back time, Amagbein and his boys presently take refuse in the Government House Yenagoa. They are being shielded from justice.

“Hence, we implore the military efforts to apprehend him should shift focus to the Bayelsa State Government House.

“We request that the searchlight should also be beamed on his siblings, especially the Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelesa State, Mr. Lucky Okodeh.

“Also to be put under surveillance is the Chairman of Bayelsa State Waterways Security, Mr.Weris Tike. This would provide a lead to the whereabout of Endurance Okodeh (Amagbein) and his gang of murderers. Both men work hands in gloves with the fugitives.

“The unleashing of anger and reprisal on innocent Ijaw and Urhobo community, is not proper. The military should stick to the Geneva Convention in operations like this,” the letter read in part.

Governor Diri was yet to make any statement on the allegations making the round or dissociate himself from the militant leader Amagbein who said to be his ally.