AND OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR DOUYE DIRI

To:

His Excellency, 
Executive Governor of Bayelsa State
Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Subject : Urgent Appeal To Release Detained Bayelsa Youths and Dismantle Illegal Detention Facilities in Oporoza, Delta State.

His Excellency,

Before the creation of Bayelsa State on October 1, 1996, the Izon people were like sheep without a shepherd. Lacking a homogeneous state of our own, our people were scattered across various states in the Niger Delta, where we endured humiliation and marginalization as minority communities.

Through divine providence and the action of the former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, our ordeal was answered when a dedicated state was carved out for the Izon nation on October 1, 1996. 

Following this milestone, your predecessors from the first executive governor, the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, to Senator Seriake Dickson, stood up to provide strong leadership. They rallied our people together to address both internal and external challenges.

A notable example of this leadership occurred when Izons faced ethnically motivated attacks in Lagos and from the Ilajes in Ondo State. Chief Alamieyeseigha stepped forward immediately to protect and rescue our people. 

This decisive leadership earned him the title of "Governor-General of the Izon Nation."

With due respect to your person and the high office you hold, there is a growing concern that your administration has not shown sufficient vigor or assertiveness in steering the affairs of the Izon Nation.

Since 2022, after the government engaged Tompolo with a major pipeline surveillance contract following years of being declared wanted, his operations have increasingly oppressive toward his fellow Izons. 

On January 25, 2026, a tragic incident occurred when Bodamas Kemepadei, alongside four Civil Defence officers attached to Tantita Security Services, tortured Patrick Peresuodei to death. 

Prior to this, numerous complaints were submitted to your office regarding the actions of Tantita operatives and the overbearing conduct of Tompolo in the state, yet no concrete action was taken to safeguard our citizens.

Under your leadership, Izon youths are reportedly being handcuffed, bound at the feet, and transported to Oporoza. There, they endure physical abuse and torture before being detained in unauthorized facilities, with some held for weeks or months. 

It has now been over two years since Balamene Karowei, and nearly two years since Charles Korubo, were both abducted from Yenagoa and taken to Oporoza town in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West LGA of Delta State.

Currently, an estimated 30 Izon youths remain held across four illegal detention centers in Oporoza.

As the chief security officer of the state, the protection and welfare of your citizens must remain the highest priority. 

Given that the existence of these unauthorized detention facilities in Oporoza has now become a matter of national concern, it is your responsibility to bring this issue directly to Mr. President.

Your demand to the President should be clear and firm ; order the immediate dismantling of all illegal detention facilities in Oporoza and secure the unconditional release of all citizens held in Tompolo's custody. 

Private security entities do not possess the legal authority, prosecutorial powers, or mandate to detain, torture, or imprison citizens.

Respectfully yours 
Apostle Comrade Perela Osia Ezekiel Daniel
Human Right Advocate.