The Birikene Youth Movement (BYM) of Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has dismissed allegations that illegal private prisons exist in the community, describing the claims as false, misleading and unsupported by credible evidence.
The group also defended prominent Niger Delta leaders, including High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), High Chief Dennis Otuaro, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Pondi and Chief Godfrey Pondi, insisting there was no factual basis linking any of them to alleged unlawful detention of persons.
Speaking during the Movement’s maiden official press briefing in Oporoza on Saturday, the Public Relations Officer of the group, Comrade Pina Ogrenfa, said the BYM decided to address what it described as persistent allegations made by Mr. Jude Gbaboyor against Gbaramatu Kingdom and some of its leaders.
Ogrenfa said the group’s earlier silence had been wrongly interpreted as an admission of the allegations, stressing that no credible evidence had been produced to support claims that illegal detention facilities operated in Oporoza or were controlled by community leaders.
He urged the public to disregard unverified allegations and rely on established facts, while calling on media organisations to uphold the ethics of responsible journalism by verifying claims before publication.
On allegations linking Tompolo to the purported abduction of some Itsekiri persons, the BYM said it was unaware of any credible evidence supporting such accusations. It, however, called on relevant security agencies to carry out thorough, professional and impartial investigations into all allegations to establish the truth.
The group argued that previous military operations in Gbaramatu Kingdom contradicted claims that illegal detention facilities existed in the area. It recalled that the Nigerian military conducted extensive security operations in Oporoza and surrounding communities in 2009 and 2016, during which several locations, including areas around the royal palace, were searched while security personnel remained in the community for more than a month.
According to the Movement, any illegal detention facility would likely have been discovered during those operations, reinforcing its position that the allegations were baseless.
Reaffirming Oporoza’s status as the traditional headquarters of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, the BYM maintained that the kingdom remained committed to peaceful coexistence with neighbouring communities, including the Itsekiri, and had no interest in promoting conflict or ethnic divisions.
The group also addressed the controversy over Zaghala (Ijaghala), insisting that historical records and the traditions of Gbaramatu Kingdom identified the settlement by its original name, Zou-Ala-Iba, which it said means “a community inside a creek.” It alleged that recent ownership claims by certain Itsekiri interests lacked historical foundation and were aimed at advancing territorial claims over parts of Gbaramatu Kingdom.
The BYM stressed that the press briefing was not intended to attack any individual, community or ethnic group but to defend the reputation of Oporoza, clarify issues affecting the kingdom and encourage informed public discourse.
It further urged media organisations, civil society groups and the public to verify information before dissemination, warning that the spread of unsubstantiated allegations could inflame tensions among communities that had coexisted peacefully for decades.
The Movement reaffirmed its commitment to peace, justice, unity and development, calling on all parties to allow security agencies and other lawful institutions to investigate allegations in line with due process rather than resorting to trial by public opinion.