The declaration of General Amagbein as a wanted man by the Defence Headquarters in connection with the killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama in Delta State did not come as a surprise to many who have been following his activities around Igbomotoru in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and adjoining creeks in Ekeremor Local Government Area and other parts of Bayelsa state.

Known as Adaka Boro II, Amagbein’s name is a constant denominator in several allegations of illegal oil bunkering, sea-piracy, brutal killings and kidnappings in Bayelsa State. Interestingly, this is not the first time he would be declared wanted by the military. In August 2022, the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Delta Force under Rear Admiral Aminu Hassan after several raids on illegal oil refinery sites in Igbomotoru and adjoining communities declared Amagbein wanted.

He was accused of setting up several illegal oil refineries in the area while some boys linked to him were also involved in sea-piracy activities.

However, Amagbein fought back, accusing the JTF of acting on a script written by an ousted paramount ruler of the community, Aseimiegha Ofongo and the Surveillance Oil Company, Darlon Securit owned by David Lyon. In a statement he personally signed in response to the JTF allegations, he described as ‘’false, malicious, mischievous and made in a desperate attempt to injure his reputation and to fit into a narrative.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I, Endurance Amagbein wish to set the record straight and state unequivocally that I am a peaceful and law-abiding citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am not a militant leader and I also do not have any dealings or connections whatsoever with any illegal crude oil mining site howsoever described in any forest,” he said.

It is not only in connection with illegal oil bunkering that Amagbein’s name has been mentioned, he has also been linked with tussle for community leadership. For instance, when All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain, Sunday Frank Oputu was brutally murdered at his residence in Yenagoa in 2022, his death was linked to his involvement in community leadership tussle with Amagbein at the opposing side. Also, when Indukapo Ogede, head of operations, Darlon Oil and Gas Servicing Company was assassinated in a mafia execution style in 2022 at a hotel in Okutukutu Yenagoa, his death was linked to the running battle that Amagbein had with the oil firm over fight against crude oil theft.

Furthermore, when a Bayelsa Commissioner, Federal Otokito was kidnapped in 2022, fingers were pointed at the direction of Amagbein who was alleged to have visited the community and was making efforts to set up an illegal oil bunkering camp which Otokito was clearly against.

But in an interview a few months ago with a national newspaper, Amagbein who claimed to have been involved in the Niger Delta struggle for 24 years said he has since left illegal oil bunkering and is putting in efforts to fight it which has made Igbomotoru free of crude oil theft.

“I also found myself in illegal bunkering activities, but more of my resources went into community development, human development, youth empowerment and other community-related services. As an individual, I was believing that keying into illegal bunkering would solve the entire Niger Delta problem. But I have come to realise that, that is not the answer or solution to the problems facing the people of the Niger Delta,” he had declared.

Despite several petitions against him, Amagbein has been untouchable because of his connections to top political leaders in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta region regardless of party affiliations. The Bayelsa State Police Command was unable to arrest him for questioning even when his name featured prominently in the kidnap of Otokito. He has consistently downplayed his other dark side like a modern day Robin Hood by engaging in charitable deeds, including renovating the house of Ijaw hero, Isaac Adaka Boro in Kaiama, Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area in 2023 and other empowerment programmes.

Amagbein, who has associates and relatives in the corridors of power in Bayelsa and Delta states, was heavily involved in the last Bayelsa State governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, according to a research paper by Dengiyefa Angalapu of the Centre for Democracy. His involvement in the outcome of the election was the subject of a public spat between Bayelsa governor, Senator Douye Diri and the APC governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva. Sources said some of those declared wanted and who believed they are innocent are set to turn themselves in to prove their innocence, but for Amagbein, it remains to be seen how he is going to wriggle out of his latest predicament. (Sunday Sun)

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