Sobomabo Jackrich

Sobomabo Jackrich (born 19 January 1978), commonly known as Egberipapa, is a Nigerian political activist and former militant commander from Rivers State. He was a prominent figure in the Niger Delta conflict of the 2000s, serving as a commander in the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) before accepting the federal government's amnesty in 2009. Since the amnesty, Jackrich has transitioned to civic activism, founding several advocacy organizations and contesting as the governorship candidate for the National Rescue Movement in Rivers State's 2023 election.

Early life and education Jackrich was born on 19 January 1978 in Buguma, the headquarters of Asari-Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State. He is from the Kalabari ethnic group, part of the Ijaw people in the Niger Delta region.

He obtained his First School Leaving Certificate from State School 1, Churchill Road, Port Harcourt in 1991. He later returned to formal education, earning a West African Senior School Certificate from Community Secondary School Idama in 2010, a Diploma in Public Administration from Dorben Polytechnic, Abuja in 2014, and a Higher National Diploma from Wolex Polytechnic, Lagos in 2021.

Niger Delta militancy

Early activism In the mid-1990s, Jackrich became involved in Niger Delta youth movements advocating for resource control and environmental justice. He joined the Kirimani Movement and later became active in the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) following the 1998 Kaiama Declaration. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta issued a statement condemning the arrest as a "betrayal of trust."

Political and advocacy organizations Following the amnesty, Jackrich founded several civic organizations. In 2011, he established the Kengema Unity Forum (KUF), a political advocacy group focused on the Kalabari and riverine communities of Rivers State. He also founded the Network for the Defence of Democracy and Good Governance (NDDGG), which has issued petitions and public statements on government transparency and accountability in Rivers State.

Political career Jackrich served as caretaker chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area in 2016. He was appointed Chairman of the NDDC COVID-19 Palliative Distribution Committee in 2021, a role that led to controversy when he petitioned the Senate alleging misappropriation of palliative funds by the Niger Delta Development Commission's Interim Management Committee.

In 2023, Jackrich contested the Rivers State governorship election as the candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM).

In June 2024, Jackrich founded the Simplicity Movement to support Governor Siminalayi Fubara during a political crisis in Rivers State. The movement was later transformed into the Rivers Grassroots Movement (RGM) in July 2025.

2024 arrest and detention On 8 April 2024, Jackrich was arrested at his residence in Usokun, Degema Local Government Area by armed personnel in military uniform. The Rivers State Police Command confirmed that Jackrich was not kidnapped but was arrested by a security agency, though the specific agency was not named. The National Rescue Movement issued statements questioning the legality of the operation and calling for government intervention.

In a subsequent television interview with Arise News, Jackrich stated that military officers had accused him of harboring suspects linked to the Okuama incident in Delta State, an allegation he denied. He also reiterated his claim of being excluded from amnesty benefits despite surrendering arms in 2009.

Personal life Jackrich is married with children. In 2019, he was installed as the Paramount Head of the Da Ike Group of Houses and Communities in Kalabari land, a traditional title.