...Daniel Has Publicly Alleged Unlawful Detention, Torture, Forced Labour, Intimidation And Other Human-Rights Abuses Involving Tompolo, Tantita And Individuals Associated With Them In Recent Months

Niger Delta activist and human-rights campaigner, Apostle Ezekiel Daniel Perela Osia, was reportedly taken from his residence in Life Camp, Abuja, on Friday morning by a group of men whom he said he could not independently identify but believed might be police officers.

Daniel told a Taraki Voice correspondent that one of the men who arrived at his residence identified himself as Jerry, while several others accompanied him.

He said he was subsequently taken to the Agwa Cement Police Station in Abuja, where he was allegedly held pending his reported pickup or transfer by personnel from Force Headquarters.

Daniel said he remained uncertain about the identity of the men involved and expressed concern over their intentions.

“I don’t know if they are police officers or not. I don’t trust them,” he reportedly told the correspondent.

The activist also raised the possibility that the men could have had criminal intentions, questioning whether they were genuine security personnel or something else. However, there is no independent evidence at this time to substantiate any claim that the men were assassins or that an assassination attempt took place.

The circumstances surrounding the reported arrest, including the identity of those who took Daniel away, the authority under which they acted and the reason for his detention, had not been independently established as of the time of filing this report.

It was also unclear whether Daniel was shown an arrest warrant, formal invitation or any other legal document authorising his detention.

The reported incident is particularly significant because it comes amid Daniel’s increasingly vocal allegations against Niger Delta figure Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

Daniel has publicly alleged unlawful detention, torture, forced labour, intimidation and other human-rights abuses involving Tompolo, Tantita and individuals associated with them. Those allegations remain claims and have not been established as facts by a court or independent investigation. Tompolo, Tantita and other persons or organisations named in the allegations remain entitled to respond.

Daniel has previously called for independent investigations into his allegations and has indicated his willingness to defend his claims through lawful proceedings.

The reported manner of his removal from his residence is also likely to raise broader questions about arrests carried out by unidentified persons who arrive at private residences without publicly disclosing their identities or the legal basis for the operation.

However, it is important to distinguish concerns about a possible pattern from the facts established in this particular case. There is presently no evidence before this newspaper establishing that Daniel was kidnapped or that his reported detention was a kidnapping operation carried out under the guise of a police arrest.

That possibility, nevertheless, is among the questions that authorities would need to clarify if they confirm that the individuals involved were police personnel.

The key questions now include who authorised the operation, whether the individual identified as Jerry is a police officer, why Daniel was taken to the Agwa Cement Police Station, which unit requested his transfer to Force Headquarters, what offence is being investigated and whether any warrant or formal invitation was issued.

Another significant question is whether Daniel’s reported detention is connected in any way to his recent allegations involving Tompolo and Tantita.

Tarakivoice is seeking clarification from the Nigeria Police Force and Force Headquarters on the circumstances surrounding the incident. Until an official account is provided, claims concerning the identities, motives and intentions of the men involved should be treated as unverified.

The development places renewed attention on the increasingly contentious dispute surrounding Daniel’s allegations against Tompolo and Tantita, while leaving unanswered whether the reported arrest is a routine law-enforcement action, part of an investigation, or an incident requiring further scrutiny.