Ebikabowei Victor-Ben
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ebikabowei Victor-Ben | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1971 (age 54–55) Born at Port Antonio, Portland Parish Jamaica |
| Other names | Boyloaf |
| Education | International Relations and Diplomacy |
| Alma mater | Baze University |
| Occupations | MEND commander Business Man Security Consultant |
| Known for | MEND |
| Spouse | Onyi Maris (m.2017) Faridia Olivia (m.2002) |
| Father | Chief Victor Ben |
| Relatives | Tueridei Victor-Ben, Selekaye Victor-Ben, Tari Victor-Ben, and Dembofa Victor-Ben. |
Ebikabowei "Boyloaf" Victor-Ben (born 1971) is former commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta.[1]
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.[2]
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,[3] Security Consultant.[4]
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,[5] representing the Southern Ijaw Constituency IV. He ran under the banner of the All Progressive Congress (APC).[6]
As a child, Ebikabowei witnessed the deep-seated injustice in the Niger Delta, which motivated him to take a stand against it.[2] He initiated efforts to advocate for equity and justice in his community and soon found others who shared his passion.
He stated, “I don't consider myself a fighter by nature. Yet, the injustice I observed around me pushed me to take action. I was the only one among my friends who stood up for my people.”[2]
In his later years, Boyloaf became a prominent figure in the militant group MEND, where he held a high-ranking command position.[7] 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,[4] was part of a broader initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region.
Since his departure from MEND, Boyloaf has chosen not to align himself with any other militant organisations. Despite this, he remains deeply committed to the cause of his people and continues to harbor hopes for the eventual independence of the Niger Delta region.
Marriage
First Marriage: Boyloaf tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend,[8] Onyi Maris,[9] on May 3, 2017, in a ceremony in Houston, Texas.[10] The couple had previously welcomed a daughter and were expecting another child[9] at the time of their wedding, having dedicated their first child in 2016.[11]
Second Marriage: On November 19, 2022, Boyloaf remarried to Faridia Olivia,[12] 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 achieved a significant academic milestone by graduating with a first-class[13] honors degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Baze University in Abuja.[14] His education has equipped him with valuable insights and skills that he aims to apply in addressing the challenges faced by his community and the broader Niger Delta region.
Militancy and activism
Boyloaf joined the newly formed Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta in 2006.[15] 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[4] and MEND member to receive amnesty from the federal government of Nigeria. After him, others followed.
Soon after leaving MEND he became active in the Nigerian political scene. On October 1, 2010 MEND planted two bombs in the capital Abuja killing 12 people and wounding 17. Boyloaf was arrested but soon released. Boyloaf was arrested again on January 13, 2012 after a car bomb had exploded in a town he had been in the previous day. Again he released soon after. In late 2012 Boyloaf began promoting the Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 Nigerian election. Due to the spike in MEND's activities in early 2013 Boyloaf was yet again arrested on February 4, 2013 and again released soon after. Even though Boyloaf's days of militancy are far behind him he says that if there is no progress in the Niger Delta and the people of the delta continue to suffer he will return to fighting.