In the dim waters of the Niger Delta, a sinister plot unfolds, orchestrated by two men whose actions threaten to destabilize the region and undermine the federal government’s efforts to foster peace and development. Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and his ally, Mathew Tonlagha, have been accused of a relentless campaign of blackmail, manipulation, and human rights abuses aimed at consolidating power and silencing their rivals.  

Mathew Tonlagha, a shadowy figure in the Niger Delta Region, has been identified as the chief architect of a smear campaign against prominent ex-agitators for them to have total control of the region in past and now. Sources reveal that Tonlagha has been systematically blackmailing other leaders, convincing the federal government that they are incapable of contributing to governance or working directly with the authorities. His primary target? King Asari Dokubo, a legendary figure in the Niger Delta struggle and a staunch supporter of President Bola Tinubu.  

Tonlagha has allegedly told the government that King Asari is “uncoordinated” and unfit to manage any responsibilities handed to him. This is a man who single-handedly led the Niger Delta struggle at a time when Tompolo was barely a footnote in the region’s history. King Asari’s contributions to Nigeria’s security and his pivotal role in President Tinubu’s election victory have been overshadowed by Tompolo and Tonlagha’s relentless character assassination.  

But the blackmail doesn’t stop at King Asari. King Ateke Tom, another revered leader who fought alongside General Boyloaf to bring peace to the Niger Delta, has also fallen victim to this vicious campaign. Tonlagha and Tompolo have reportedly told the federal government that King Ateke is “irrelevant” in the region’s affairs, effectively sidelining him from any meaningful role in governance.  

Tompolo’s fear of competition is at the heart of this power grab. General Boyloaf, a master strategist and former deputy commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), is a particular source of anxiety for Tompolo. Boyloaf’s legendary exploits, including the audacious attack on the Bonga oil field and his role in negotiating the Niger Delta peace process, have made him a formidable figure. Tompolo, it seems, is terrified that empowering Boyloaf would diminish his own influence.  

To maintain his stranglehold on the region, Tompolo has resorted to ruthless tactics. He has allegedly initiated young men into debolic oaths eating, paid them meager sums, and used them as pawns in his quest for dominance. Reports of beheadings, private prisons, and ritual killings have tainted Tompolo’s reputation, drawing comparisons to terrorist organizations like Boko Haram.  

The Niger Delta is no stranger to violence, but Tompolo’s reign of terror has taken it to a new level. His control over Region has been marked by human rights abuses, including manslaughter, human trafficking, and the operation of illegal detention centers. Victims of his atrocities have dragged him to court, but justice remains elusive.  

Meanwhile, Tonlagha continues to sow discord, convincing the federal government to bypass capable leaders like King Asari, King Ateke, and Boyloaf. This strategy has allowed Tompolo to monopolize lucrative pipeline security contracts in the past, further entrenching his power.  

But the federal government must tread carefully because Tompolo was shocked when President Tinubu sacked Mele Kyari, especially since Kyari had confidently claimed that no one could remove him until he was ready to step down. Tompolo’s loyalty has always been firmly with Kyari, and the two share a deep political understanding. However, Tompolo is merely doing a high service support for President Tinubu by prominently displaying his campaign banners everywhere in Abuja. This act serves as a distraction to the President and a tactic to prevent the Federal government from holding him accountable for alleged corruption and human rights violations, alongside Mele Kyari. 

Niger Delta is at a crossroads. The region’s leaders—King Asari Dokubo, King Ateke Tom, General Boyloaf, and others—must unite to resist Tompolo’s tyranny. The federal government, for its part, must recognize the danger of empowering a man whose actions mirror those of terrorist organizations.  

The time has come to expose the truth and hold Tompolo and Mathew Tonlagha accountable for their crimes. The Niger Delta deserves peace, justice, and leaders who prioritize the region’s development over personal gain. Anything less would be a betrayal of the people who call this oil-rich but troubled region home.