By Charles Joseph – Delta 

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) is currently probing the link between Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri and wanted leader of the killer gang, which murdered 16 officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, in Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state, on Thursday, Endurance Okodeh, alias Amangben.

The military authorities are also working on an intelligence report that Amangben was being harboured by Douye Diri at Government House, Yenagoa.

Impeccable security sources said the military has established a link between the Bayelsa Governor and the suspected killer of the soldiers.

Amangben, whose father hails from Igbomotoru community, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa state, is a notorious oil bunker.

He was said to be widely recognised as a political ally of Governor Douye Diri.

The military authorities have zeroed down on Amangben as the leader of the gang, which murdered 16 officers and soldiers of the 181 Battalion of the Nigerian Army on peace-keeping mission in Okuama, on Thursday.

Amangben’s mother hailed from Okuama, an Urhobo community in Delta State.

Speculations that he has fled to his paternal community in Bayelsa state, apparently informed Sunday’s raid of Igbomotoru community by troops in search of the wanted kingpin.

It was gathered through intelligence gathering by military chiefs probing the fate of the falling soldiers that Amangben headed the team of political thugs, who supported and delivered Governor Douye Diri in the last gubernatorial election in Bayelsa state.

To this end, the military authorities are working on the lead that Douye Diri could provide the ambience of Government House, Yenagoa, as safe havens for Amangben and members of his gang, to evade arrest and justice.

Impeccable sources within security circles revealed that the military arrived at the conclusion following Sunday’s futile outcome of the raid on Igbomotoru community, a place initially suspected to be harbouring Amangben and his fleeing boys.

One reliable source said, “Since the MIlitary has come to the conclusion that Endurance Okodeh, alias Amangben, led his group to kill the soldiers, the best place to look for him is the Government House.”

“Amangben’s benefactor, Governor

Douye Diri, might have provided the Government House for him to hibernate in order to evade arrest by the troops searching for him.”

“Governor Douye Diri may consider the current travails of Amangben as affording him the best opportunity to help the boy who has been there for him in his political journey. Amangben has backed Douye Diri in all his political carreer.”

“Amangben in particular played pivotal roles in the re-election of Governor Douye Diri in the last gubernatorial election by heading the private security squad, which reigned terrors on the opposition elements, killing and maiming them in desperation to ensure Douye Diri wins at all costs.”

“There is a like likehood that Amangben and members of his gang are being sustained in the Government House, Yenagoa,” the source stated.

Similarly, the military authorities are said to be on the manhunt for the Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Mr. Lucky Okodeh and Chairman of the state’s Waterways Commitee, Mr. Weris Tike, due to their relationship with Amangben.

The council boss is a sibling to Amangben while Tike is an ally of the suspected killer.

The military are working on the permutations that the council boss and Tike were in the best position to help with information that could lead to the arrest of the prime suspect in the murder of the soldiers.

Consequently, the Bayelsa council chairman and Tike have gone underground as the military intensified efforts to bring Amangben to book.

“The military authorities have decided that since the Southern Ijaw Council chairman and Chairman of Bayelsa State Waterways committee have been running deals and are close allies of Amangben, then they must know his whereabouts and provide valid information that can lead to the arrest of Amangben. This latest development has compelled Lucky Okodeh and Weris Tike, to also take-off,” added the source, which pleaded anonymity.