Ebikabowei Victor-Ben

Ebikabowei "Boyloaf" Victor-Ben (born 1971) is former commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta.

Ebikabowei hails from Port Antonio town in Portland Parish, Jamaica, although he later relocated with his family to the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, where he grew up.

He attended Community Primary School in Amadiam and Stella Maris College in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after moving from Jamaica. Thus, he spent his childhood across Portland Parish in Jamaica and later in Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states, gaining insight into the living conditions of the Niger Delta.

Boyloaf remains popular in the Niger Delta and is currently a Business man, Security Consultant.

Personal life Boyloaf is part of a large family, having eight brothers in total. The eldest brother has died, leaving behind a close-knit group that includes Tueridei Victor-Ben, Chief Selekaye Victor-Ben, Tari Victor-Ben, and the youngest, Dembofa Victor-Ben.

His brother, Chief Selekaye Ben Victor, was elected in 2023 as a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, representing the Southern Ijaw Constituency IV. He ran under the banner of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

As a child, Ebikabowei witnessed the deep-seated injustice in the Niger Delta, which motivated him to take a stand against it. His leadership role placed him at the forefront of the organization's activities, which sought to address the issues facing the Niger Delta region. However, in 2009, he made a pivotal decision to leave MEND after being granted amnesty by then-President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. This amnesty program, facilitated by the Bayelsa State Government, Onyi Maris, on May 3, 2017, in a ceremony in Houston, Texas. The couple had previously welcomed a daughter and were expecting another child

Second Marriage: On November 19, 2022, Boyloaf remarried to Faridia Olivia, in a ceremony in Markurdi, Benue State. Faridia is the widow of Audu Abubakar, the former Governor of Kogi State, Nigeria.

Education

In 2021, Ebikabowei Victor-Ben graduated with a first-class honors degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Baze University in Abuja.

Militancy and activism Boyloaf joined the newly formed Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta in 2006. Boyloaf soon rose to prominence in the ranks of MEND due to his expert commanding skills and was ranked 3rd highest in the ranks of MEND after Dokubo-Asari and Henry Okah. The name Boyloaf became well known throughout the Niger Delta and Boyloaf recruited hundreds of men and turned them into well trained soldiers. By 2008 Boyloaf had influence over many soldiers and people throughout the Niger Delta region. On August 27, 2009 Boyloaf was granted amnesty by the 13th Nigerian president Umaru Musa Yar'Adua GCFR in Port Harcourt. He was the first militant

A review of expenditure data from Govspend indicated that the Office of the Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on Niger Delta paid Boyloaf approximately N564.7 million between July and November 2023 in 18 transactions.

Stakeholders in the Niger Delta have condemned these allegations against Chief Ebikabowei Victor-Ben (Boyloaf). This coalition, which includes elders from the Ijaw National Congress (INC), members of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), traditional rulers, and various youth and women's organisations, characterised the claims as a targeted witch-hunt, a personal attack, and a deliberate effort to incite unrest and insecurity in the region.

Dispute with Tompolo

The conflict between Boyloaf and former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, stems from disagreements over pipeline surveillance contracts and the alleged management of the Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP).

Boyloaf has accused Tompolo of monopolizing these contracts and using political connections to secure deals, sidelining other former militants in the process. Conversely, Tompolo claims that Boyloaf is trying to undermine his efforts and destabilize the region's progress achieved through these contracts.

This dispute has manifested in public accusations, with both sides alleging self-serving motives and failing to prioritize the interests of Niger Delta communities. The Niger Delta Progressive Agenda, a group of stakeholders have made calls urging Boyloaf to reconcile with Tompolo. They emphasize that unity among former militants is crucial for maintaining peace and stability in the Niger Delta region. The group believes that resolving their differences can lead to better collaboration on community development and security issues, ultimately benefiting the local populace.

Controversy with Gen. Danjuma (rtd)

The conflict between Boyloaf and retired General Theophilus Danjuma centers on Boyloaf's assertions that Danjuma and other military officials exploit the Niger Delta's oil resources while neglecting the region's developmental needs. Boyloaf has threatened to target Danjuma's oil assets if significant improvements for local communities are not forthcoming. He emphasizes the necessity for accountability and equitable treatment of Niger Delta residents regarding the region's oil wealth.