“I Put My Life on the Line for Tompolo” — SHC Bibopere Ajube Fires Back at Udengs Eradiri Over Alleged Betrayal Claims
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
For Global Egberi Media International Ltd
A fresh political storm is brewing within the Niger Delta leadership and ex-agitator community following a strongly worded response issued by Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube, popularly known as Shoot at Sight, to recent allegations made by Bayelsa politician and activist Udengs Eradiri.
Ajube’s reaction follows the circulation of a viral video across social media platforms in which Eradiri accused him of betraying the revered Niger Delta freedom fighter and leader Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo. The accusations stemmed from Ajube’s position advocating the decentralization of pipeline and oil facility surveillance contracts across the Niger Delta region.
However, in a detailed and emotionally charged statement, Ajube dismissed the allegations as unfounded, insisting that his long history of loyalty, sacrifice, and personal risk in defence of Tompolo and the broader Niger Delta struggle renders such accusations historically inaccurate and deeply unfair.
Loyalty Beyond Blind Allegiance
In his response, Ajube made it clear that his relationship with Tompolo cannot be reduced to blind loyalty devoid of principle. According to him, the struggle of the Niger Delta was never about personal allegiance to individuals but about justice, economic emancipation, and the collective dignity of the Ijaw people.
Ajube recalled that his involvement in the early militant campaigns of the Niger Delta struggle was never motivated by personal grievances or community disputes. Rather, he said, his participation in the resistance against multinational oil companies and the Nigerian state was born out of a strong conviction that the Niger Delta had suffered decades of environmental degradation, economic injustice, and political marginalization.
He emphasized that when he took up arms during the turbulent years of the Niger Delta conflict, it was not because pipelines ran through his community or because he sought personal gain, but because he believed that the struggle for resource justice and environmental protection was legitimate.
The Camp 5 Crisis and a Moment of Sacrifice
One of the most dramatic revelations in Ajube’s response was his recollection of events surrounding the destruction of Camp 5, the once-feared militant stronghold in Gbaramatu Kingdom that served as the operational base of Tompolo.
Ajube recounted that during the most dangerous period of confrontation between militants and government forces, when many fighters fled the scene following military assaults on the camp, he remained behind and played a pivotal role in ensuring Tompolo’s safe evacuation.
According to him, he personally navigated dangerous waterways under life-threatening conditions to extract Tompolo from the conflict zone.
“I put my life on the line,” Ajube stated emphatically, stressing that such actions should be remembered as acts of loyalty rather than betrayal.
EFCC Investigations Under the Buhari Administration
Ajube also revisited the tense political atmosphere that followed the emergence of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, when several prominent Niger Delta figures came under investigation by federal anti-corruption agencies.
Unlike some leaders who resisted government scrutiny, Ajube revealed that he voluntarily presented himself before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to clear his name.
He explained that his bank accounts were frozen for several months during the investigation process but were later unfrozen after authorities found no evidence of wrongdoing.
However, Ajube alleged that shortly after that episode he was framed for pipeline vandalism and subsequently declared wanted by security agencies in what he described as a calculated attempt to lure him back into armed confrontation.
Rather than succumbing to the provocation, he said he deliberately chose the path of peace, dialogue, and lawful engagement with authorities.
Isolation, Attacks and Political Silence
Ajube further disclosed that his decision to embrace peace did not shield him from attacks and criticism. According to him, he became a target of persistent smear campaigns, blackmail, and political hostility, some of which he claims originated from individuals within circles connected to Gbaramatu Kingdom.
He alleged that for years he endured public criticism on social media platforms without any form of support or defence from individuals who had once shared the trenches of the Niger Delta struggle.
Despite reaching out to Tompolo to address the situation, Ajube said his calls went unanswered. Eventually, he chose to withdraw from public confrontations and focus on family life and private business activities.
Quiet Efforts Toward Reconciliation
Despite his withdrawal from the frontline of political agitation, Ajube insisted that he continued to play behind-the-scenes roles aimed at restoring peace and reconciliation between Tompolo and the Federal Government.
He revealed that in 2016 he facilitated and accompanied Tompolo associate Keston Pondi to meet with the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in a bid to open channels of dialogue.
According to Ajube, that effort was purely motivated by his commitment to peace and his desire to see Tompolo’s challenges with the Federal Government resolved through diplomatic engagement.
Refusing Opportunity for the Sake of Fairness
Ajube also referenced a high-level security meeting convened by former National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno which brought together several former militant leaders and officials of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
The meeting reportedly included figures such as Ebikabowei Victor Ben, popularly known as General Boyloaf, as well as Amnesty Programme Coordinator Milland Dixon Dikio.
Ajube revealed that during discussions about pipeline surveillance contracts under the Amnesty Programme, he deliberately declined participation because Tompolo’s issues with the Federal Government had not yet been resolved.
According to him, accepting such opportunities without Tompolo’s involvement would have been morally wrong.
Claims of Assassination Attempts
Ajube also made startling claims that several attempts had been made on his life since 2015, with some of the threats allegedly traceable to individuals within the broader Gbaramatu axis.
Despite these dangers, he said he deliberately refused to retaliate or escalate tensions.
He further narrated how he intervened during a violent episode involving a notorious gang leader identified as MK, who reportedly unleashed terror in Oporoza and killed operatives linked to Tompolo.
Ajube claimed he mobilized security forces and led efforts that neutralized the threat and restored calm to the community.
The Debate Over Pipeline Contract Decentralization
At the centre of the dispute with Eradiri is Ajube’s advocacy for the decentralization of pipeline surveillance contracts across various Niger Delta communities.
According to Ajube, concentrating such economic and security authority in the hands of a few individuals could create dangerous imbalances and potentially destabilize the region.
He argued that decentralization would encourage broader participation, strengthen local accountability, and ensure more equitable distribution of economic opportunities within the Niger Delta.
“This is not betrayal,” he insisted. “It is foresight.”
A Final Word to Eradiri
In closing his response, Ajube accused Eradiri of misunderstanding the complex realities of the Niger Delta struggle and the sacrifices made by those who truly fought on the frontlines.
He reiterated that his loyalty to Tompolo remains intact and unwavering.
Ajube declared that if circumstances ever arise requiring decisive action to protect Tompolo’s safety or interests, he would still be among the first to respond.
As the debate continues to generate reactions across Niger Delta political circles, observers believe the unfolding controversy may shape future discussions about pipeline surveillance contracts, regional leadership dynamics, and the delicate balance of power among former militant leaders in the oil-rich region.
Source: Statement by SHC Bibopere Ajube
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