Mr Fara Dagogo

Commander in the Eastern Delta

Place of Birth: Tombia

Career: Commander (estranged), Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF); Founder, Niger Delta Strike Force (NDSF), 2005; Senior Commander, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Henry Okah faction, Eastern Command.

Commentary: Dagogo surrendered on 9 October 2009 as part of an amnesty plan extended to militants by President Umaru Yar'Adua. He is notorious for a vicious battle between the NDSF and the Outlaws, a cult group controlled by Soboma George. The battle, in which several militants and innocent civilians were killed, was fought because of a disagreement over how to split the proceeds of hostage taking, an activity subscribed to by both men. Both men are Kalabaris but Dagogo is from Bakana while George is from Buguma.

Dagogo is a former commander in Mujahid Dokubo-Asari’s Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF). He led the Niger Delta Strike Force which emerged in 2007 from Asari’s group. Four days after the 1 October 2010 Abuja bombing, Farah and other MEND leaders met Jonathan to repudiate the atrocity.