Bayelsa PDP Chieftain Arrested For Alleged Illegal Firearms Possession

The Assistant Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Amadein Tibiebi, has been apprehended by officers from Zone 16 of the Nigerian Police for allegedly possessing illegal firearms.

According to The Punch, Tibiebi, a former militant, is currently being interrogated at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Bayelsa State Police Command.

The interrogation is taking place there due to the lack of a detention facility at Zone 16.

Tibiebi’s arrest on Monday follows an incident from November 2021, when one Richard Okon was detained for allegedly possessing illegal firearms during a wake-keep in the Koluama community, located in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

In a recorded confession, Okon claimed that the firearm in question belonged to Tibiebi, for whom he was working at the time. However, the matter was not pursued further after that incident.

According to a police insider, Tibiebi was initially invited by the police but managed to secure his release by presenting falsified licenses and forged documents, aided by his influential connections.

His recent arrest stems from a fresh petition accusing him of making threats to life. The source noted that Tibiebi, undeterred by the 2021 incident, continued to flaunt his connections with impunity.

Another insider from Zone 16 stated that Tibiebi attempted to avoid detention by reaching out to high-ranking officials, including senators and top law enforcement officers.

“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 also known as the nephew and chief security officer to former PDP state chairman Cleopas Moses, who represented Bayelsa Central Senatorial District in the Ninth Senate.

A local source mentioned that Tibiebi had often bragged about being untouchable by law enforcement due to his strong ties within the PDP and the state government.

When contacted, Zone 16 Public Relations Officer Emonena Gunn confirmed the arrest and stated that the matter is currently under investigation.