The Leader of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative, Dr. Douglas Fabeke, has alleged an attempt on his life on Saturday, September 27, 2025, during his organization’s monthly prayer meeting in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Fabeke said the incident occurred while he was holding the end-of-month fasting and prayer session, a routine programme of the group. According to him, armed security personnel accompanied by suspected thugs stormed the venue, ordering participants to vacate the hall.
He alleged that while the worshippers were being dispersed, another group of thugs laid an ambush near his office, monitoring his movements.
“We were in the hall when a team of police officers with guns and some cult boys invaded the hall,” Fabeke recounted. “I didn’t know that when they asked everybody to leave, there were also boys laying surveillance around my office on the road, monitoring my movement. I had to escape through the back of the hall to my office and lock the door.”
Fabeke further alleged that the attackers attempted to break into his office, claiming they were sent by the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Thomas Bariere. “Some of the boys there overpowered them, and the Divisional Police Officer arrived with his team and tried to save the situation,” he said. “I was able to leave Bori in my vehicle after the incident.”
Describing the incident as a clear assassination attempt, Fabeke accused Bariere of orchestrating the attack. “I heard from one of his boys that today would be the end of my life,” he claimed. “I don’t know what is motivating this or who is sending him.”
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The activist also linked the incident to the controversial issue of oil resumption in Ogoni land. While reiterating that his group is not opposed to oil production, he warned against actions capable of inciting violence in the region.
“There are federal government agents who actually want to cause war in Ogoni. If oil resumption will cause war in Ogoni, Mr. President should suspend it.”
He further called for possible United Nations intervention to protect the Ogoni people if the situation escalates.
Fabeke alleged that agents have been deployed across local governments to target community leaders and activists.
“They are ready to kill us again. If anybody is operating under the President at the federal level, the President should bring that person out. This is against the Ogoni people,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Khana Local Government Chairman nor the Rivers State Police Command has issued an official response to the allegations.
