My name is Meshark Paul, also known as Mr Soft. I received several messages from different people saying that Tompolo wanted to see me, but I ignored them. Later, I got a call from Aki Benikrukru from Odimodi Town, who said Tompolo wanted to see me in Oporoza.

I explained that I was in Abuja and did not want to travel by road to Warri. I also told him I only had 120,000 naira, while the flight cost about 180,000 naira. He then instructed Aki Benikrukru to send me 60,000 naira to complete the fare, which he did.

Journey to Oporoza and Public Notice
March 26th 2026, I traveled from Abuja to Warri and prepared to move to Oporoza. Before leaving, I recorded a video at my house to inform the public that I had been invited by Tompolo through Aki Benikrukru.

In the video, I explained that I received a call from Aki Benikrukru, who said I was invited by “TP,” later clarified as Tompolo. I questioned the reason for the invitation and was told it was about a post I made concerning Izon-Ebi the ijaw musician. I expressed uncertainty about the situation but stated I would go since I had nothing to hide.

I also mentioned in the video that if anything happened to me or if people did not hear from me within 24 hours, those who called me should be held responsible. Despite my concerns, I maintained that I respected Tompolo and did not believe he would intend to harm me.

Sharing the Video and Arrival in Oporoza
After recording the video, I sent it to a fellow Ijaw social media blogger, known as Ijaw Blood and also my wife, asking Ijaw Blood to post it only if she did not hear from me after some days. I then left Abuja for Warri and traveled to Oporoza with five others including Aki Benikrukru.

Upon arrival, one of Tompolo’s commanders showed me the same video I had sent privately to ijaw blood. I was shocked. I explained that the video was meant as a safety measure. I immediately contacted Ijaw Blood to ask why she shared the video instead of keeping it as agreed. She said she only sent it to a group where most Gbaramatu supporters are inside. 

This betrayal deeply affected me, as I believed the video was meant to protect me, not expose my situation prematurely.

Meeting with Tompolo and Initial Discussions
I was later brought before Tompolo and given a seat in front of him. He accused me of making a post about  Ekomieyefa Uduboh (often called King KFT ) and his wife, which I denied. I clarified that my post was only about Izon-Ebi and his behavior, and that it was a general comment.

Tompolo called Ekomieyefa, and I explained the situation to him as well. However, Ekomieyefa continued to threaten me on phone. Izon-Ebi was also contacted and stated he would take legal action against me. In the end, Tompolo acknowledged that I did not make any post about Ekomieyefa and his wife but asked me to record an apology video, which I did.

Threats and Temporary Hospitality
The following day, Ekomieyefa arrived in Oporoza and continued to threaten my life, saying I could be taken away and killed without consequences. I pleaded with him, insisting that I had not insulted him or his wife.

For the first two days, I was treated well after the discussions. However, this situation soon changed.

Detention in a Private Prison
On March 28, 2026, Ikpana brought us a million naira and said we should all leave. As we were preparing to go, he told me I would not be leaving with the others. After they departed, my personal belongings, including my phone, jewelry, and shoe, were taken.

I was then moved to a private prison.
Inside, I met two other young men who had also been detained. One had been there for two weeks after being brought in from another community.

We were given food, just watery soup without meat and eba once a day. At that point, I realized the seriousness of my situation.

Conditions and Growing Fear
While in the private prison, I reflected on how I had previously supported and defended those responsible for my situation. Now, I found myself imprisoned and treated harshly.

On the third day, I pretended to be seriously ill in hopes of gaining sympathy and freedom. Instead, I was taken to a clinic, "Tompolo Foundation Health Care" , given medication, and I was returned back to the prison.

I became increasingly afraid for my life, worried that I might never be released.

Family Intervention and Desperation
On the fifth day, my wife came to Oporoza to look for me. She was threatened and told to leave or face detention herself. She had no choice but to return home in distress.

At this point, I felt a strong sense of danger and began thinking seriously about escaping.

Planning and Executing the Escape
While in the cell, I noticed a weak part of the wall and began poking it with a rod I find inside the cell. Initially, the others thought I was acting mad, but when they saw progress, they joined me. We worked mostly at night, using water to soften the wall.

After three days, we created an opening large enough to pass through.
Taking advantage of distractions related to preparations for the Amaisekumor festival, I escaped through the hole when the Tompolo security men was not concentrating on us and ran into the nearby bush were they do bury dead people.

Journey Through the Bush to Freedom
I walked through the bush part for some time until I eventually met a man who directed me toward Azama. From there, I moved through the Inikorogha community to the Ubafan community, waking mostly through bush paths and avoiding populated areas out of fear. When I finally reached UIbafan, a young man helped arrange a boat, which took me to Warri.

Aftermath and Call for Justice
The experience remains traumatic. I continue to see the events when ever I close my eyes. I lost my belongings and suffered emotional distress.

I intend to pursue justice through legal means and ensure accountability for what happened to me.

I still cannot understand how Ekomieyefa and Ikpana put me in a private prison without any offense. If there was any issue, they should have handed me over to the proper authorities to handle it. Instead, I was invited by Tompolo, and the next thing I knew, I was locked inside a private prison for 9 days like an animal, as if I was waiting to be used for rituals, all happening openly in Oporoza Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom.

It is time for the Nigerian government to take action against the operation of private prisons in Oporoza. This is a very serious matter. You can check my TikTok page, @softbossrichy, I have always been a supporter of Tompolo and Tantita, defending them many times. Yet, I ended up experiencing the same things some people have accused them of. This is a painful irony.

This experience has taught me that not everyone on social media can be trusted, even people who seem to share the same background as you. It has also shown me how important it is to take reports of injustice seriously.