The Assistant Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State, Amadein Tibiebi, has been arrested by officers of Zone 16 of the Nigerian Police for allegedly possessing illegal firearms. Tibiebi, who is an ex-militant, is currently being interrogated and is being held at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Bayelsa State Police Command, as Zone 16 lacks a detention facility.
His arrest on Monday follows a November 2021 incident in which Richard Okon was apprehended for alleged illegal possession of firearms at a wake in Koluama community, located in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. In a subsequent confession, Okon claimed that the firearm he was caught with belonged to Tibiebi, who was his associate at the time. However, no action was initially taken against Tibiebi.
A police source revealed that Tibiebi had previously been invited for questioning but managed to evade consequences by presenting fake licenses and forged documents. He was released due to his influential connections.
His current arrest stems from a new petition alleging threats to life. According to the source, despite the 2021 incident, Tibiebi continued to boast about his connections and was undeterred by the previous brush with the law. Another source at Zone 16 mentioned that upon his arrest, Tibiebi reached out to several high-ranking individuals, including senators and senior law enforcement officers, in an attempt 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 a former PDP state chairman, Cleopas Moses, who represented Bayelsa Central Senatorial District at the Ninth Senate.
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.”
When reached for comments, Zone 16 Public Relations Officer, Emonena Gunn, confirmed the arrest saying the matter was under investigation.
He did not however provide further details.
