The Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) has called for an immediate and independent investigation into an alleged assault on its President-General, Engr. Legborsi Yamaabana, at the headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
In a statement shared to TCPN on Wednesday, the group expressed outrage over what it described as a “deeply troubling” incident said to have occurred at about 5:03 p.m. within the office complex of the Commission’s Managing Director.
According to the federation, Yamaabana, who also serves as spokesperson for the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum, was at the NDDC premises following a formal invitation from the Managing Director.
The group insisted that documentation confirming the invitation is in its possession, dismissing any suggestion that he was unauthorised at the facility.
OYF said eyewitness accounts indicate that shortly after arriving at the reception area of the Managing Director’s office, Yamaabana was confronted by a group of security personnel. The situation reportedly escalated, with the youth leader allegedly subjected to physical force that left him injured.
The account, attributed to Hon. Kenule Kukang, President of the Ogoni Indigenous Contractors Forum, alleged that the operatives involved included officials linked to the State Security Service. One individual, identified simply as Samuel and described as part of the Managing Director’s security detail, was said to have led the group.
The federation further claimed that the security personnel involved suggested they were acting under directives from within the Managing Director’s office—an allegation OYF says raises serious concerns and must be thoroughly examined.
“This is not just about one individual,” the statement read. “If established, it speaks to a broader issue of how public institutions treat citizens, particularly recognised representatives of their communities.”
OYF maintained that no invited guest should be subjected to violence or humiliation within a government facility, stressing that the incident, as described, undermines public trust and respect for due process.
The group outlined a series of demands, including the constitution of an independent investigative panel, the preservation and examination of surveillance footage from the premises, and the identification and suspension of all personnel allegedly involved.
It also urged the NDDC leadership to issue a formal public response addressing claims that the actions of the security operatives were authorised from within the Managing Director’s office.
In addition, the federation called for appropriate disciplinary and legal measures against anyone found culpable, as well as assurances for the safety and redress of the affected individual.
The statement warned that the Ogoni people would not tolerate what it described as intimidation or disregard for their leaders, adding that the group would continue to press for accountability.
As of the time of filing this report, the NDDC had not issued an official response to the allegations.
