A former top commander of the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) has broken years of silence to debunk long-standing narratives surrounding the group’s origins. Julius Wilson, popularly known as General Mabeke, asserts that the late militant leader General John Togo was not the founder of the organization, naming High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich (alias Egberipapa) as the true architect.
In a detailed disclosure shared via his official Facebook page, Mabeke dismissed circulating reports on blogs and social media that credited the Ayakoromo-born Togo with the group’s formation as “a big lie from the pit of hell.”
The Ogbokone Connection
Mabeke, who identifies as a founding member, provided a rare glimpse into the early 2000s militant landscape. He revealed that the core clique—consisting of himself, the late Austin Abai, Endurance, and Kirsten—originally invited John Togo to join them at Ogbokone community in Warri during the Ijaw-Itsekiri crisis.
The turning point, according to Mabeke, occurred during a strategic visit to Rivers State.
”We visited General Egberipapa’s camp in Rivers State. Myself, John Togo, Peter Bighead, and later Jerry were the people that visited. It was there the NDLF was actually born,” Mabeke recounted.
The “Husband and Wife” Alliance
Mabeke described an inseparable bond between Togo and Jackrich, noting they affectionately referred to each other as “husband and wife.” During this period, Togo reportedly expressed interest in joining the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).
However, Jackrich allegedly declined the move, revealing he had already established his own entity: the Niger Delta Liberation Force.
”We saw the flag of his camp with plenty of soldiers already on ground,” Mabeke stated, adding that Jackrich equipped the team with over ₦10 million in merchandise and logistics. Crucially, Mabeke clarified that Jackrich appointed John Togo as his second-in-command, not the leader.
Timeline Discrepancies
To further cement his claim, Mabeke pointed to the 2005 timeline often cited by historians. He noted that during the year the NDLF was reportedly founded, the core leadership—including Togo—was incarcerated at Okere Prison.
”Does it mean it was founded while in prison without my knowledge?” Mabeke questioned, urging commentators to stop dispensing “false stories.”
From Militancy to Mandate
While John Togo’s chapter ended following his death in a 2011 military operation by the Joint Task Force (JTF), Sobomabo Jackrich has followed a different trajectory. Since the era of militancy, Jackrich has transitioned into a prominent political figure and philanthropist.
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He recently founded the Rivers Grassroots Movement (RGM) in 2024, earning comparisons to Niger Delta icons like Adaka Boro and Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye for his continued agitation for resource control through peaceful, developmental channels.
