Police Interrogate Boyloaf, Arrest Aides in Lagos

Victor Ebikabowei

 

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command, at the weekend interrogated one of the leading ex-militant leaders in the Niger Delta, Victor Ebikabowei, popularly known as Boyloaf.

The command also arrested his aides.

Ebikabowei was invited over his alleged connection in the battering of the Special Adviser, Special Duties to the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Henry Ugbolue, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Ebikabowei had of recent been in the news over his criticism of the government of the day, claiming that pressure was being mounted on him and other ex-militants, as well as, consistent attempts to blackmail them by influential figures over their perceived low rating of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Although he maintained that their assessment was not targeted at discrediting the administration’s transformation agenda, he said it was to boost the much needed development in the region.

THISDAY gathered that Ugbolue was beaten to a pulp by the ex-militant’s aides who were allegedly carrying out their boss’ order.

It was also gathered that there was an altercation between Ebikabowei and the Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, at the international airport, Saturday, which led to Ugbolue being beaten up.

Sources said Ugbolue had attempted to intervene, only to be beaten up by the aides who accused him of being behind the recent negative publications against their boss.

The situation would have exacerbated save for the intervention of policemen attached to the Airport Command who intervened by arresting some of the aides and transferred them to SARS for questioning and further investigation.

THISDAY checks revealed that as at yesterday evening, the aides were still detained and might be charged to court  depending on the outcome of the investigation.

Efforts to reach the victim proved abortive but sources disclosed that the reason might be because he is still receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
Attempts to confirm from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, proved abortive and the text message sent to her phone was not replied either.