PDP Top Official Arrested for Alleged Illegal Firearms Possession

The Assistant Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Amadein Tibiebi, has been arrested by officers of Zone 16 of the Nigerian Police on allegations of illegal possession of firearms.

Tibiebi, a former militant, is currently undergoing interrogation at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Bayelsa State Police Command. Due to the lack of detention facilities at Zone 16, he is being held at the CID.

The arrest, which occurred on Monday, is connected to an incident from November 2021, when Richard Okon was apprehended for illegal possession of firearms during a wake-keeping ceremony in the Koluama community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. Okon, in a subsequent video confession, claimed that the firearm he was caught with belonged to Tibiebi, who was allegedly his associate. Despite these allegations, no significant action was taken at the time.

A police source revealed that Tibiebi had previously been invited for questioning but was released after presenting what were later discovered to be fake licenses and forged documents. His connections reportedly played a role in his release.

Tibiebi’s recent arrest follows a fresh petition filed against him, accusing him of making threats to life. The source added that despite the 2021 incident, Tibiebi remained undeterred, often boasting about his powerful connections.

Another source within Zone 16 reported that upon his arrest, Tibiebi contacted several high-ranking officials, including senators and senior law enforcement officers, in an attempt to avoid detention.

“Tibiebi is being investigated for alleged illegal possession of firearms, a serious offense. However, he has been reaching out to influential individuals in a bid to evade the law,” the source said.

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

A community source added, “Tibiebi has often boasted about being untouchable due to his connections within the PDP and the state government.”

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer for Zone 16, Emonena Gunn, confirmed Tibiebi’s arrest but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.