The Assistant Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Amadein Tibiebi, has been arrested by the Nigerian Police for alleged illegal possession of firearms.
Tibiebi, an ex-militant, is currently undergoing interrogation at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Bayelsa State Police Command due to the lack of a detention facility at Zone 16.
The arrest is connected to a November 2021 incident where one Richard Okon was arrested for alleged illegal possession of firearms at a wake-keep in Koluama community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Okon had claimed that the gun belonged to Tibiebi, , who he was working with, although nothing was made of the incident.
A police source alleged that Tibiebi presented fake licences and forged documents and was subsequently released due to his connections.
A fresh petition led to Tibiebi’s rearrest, with allegations of a threat to life. Sources say he has been boasting about his connections and calling senior citizens, including senators and law enforcement officers, to avoid detention.
“Tibiebi is being investigated for alleged illegal possession of firearms. It is a serious offence, but he has been calling very powerful people to go scot free,” the source said.
Tibiebi is a nephew and chief security officer to former PDP state chairman Cleopas Moses. The Zone 16 Public Relations Officer, Emonena Gunn, confirmed the arrest, stating that the matter is under investigation.
His present arrest is based on a fresh petition to the police on allegations of threat to life because, according to the source, he was not deterred by the 2021 incident, but has been boastful of his connections.
Another source at Zone 16 disclosed that when he was arrested, Tibiebi called very senior citizens including senators and top law enforcement officers in a bid to avert detention.
“Tibiebi is being investigated for alleged illegal possession of firearms. It is a serious offence, but he has been calling very powerful people to go scot free,” the source said.
A community source said, “Tibiebi has been boastful about being untouchable by law enforcement officials because of his connections in the PDP and state government.”
The Zone 16′ spokesperson, Emonena Gunn, confirmed the arrest, saying the matter was under investigation but providing further details.
