The source added that soldiers previously seen escorting Asonja to nightlife venues, palace confrontations, and political events acted outside official approval.
The Nigerian Army has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all military personnel allegedly attached to Chief Idowu Asonja, the Ondo State coordinator of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, following SaharaReporters’ report exposing the use of soldiers as private escorts and instruments of intimidation.
Multiple security sources confirmed that the directive came directly from the Chief of Army Staff, with strict instructions that no soldier should henceforth serve as Asonja’s bodyguard or accompany him to social functions, personal engagements, or traditional disputes.
“The directive is clear. No soldier must follow him around anymore. They have been ordered back to their designated riverine and pipeline security locations,” a source told SaharaReporters on Saturday.
The source added that soldiers previously seen escorting Asonja to nightlife venues, palace confrontations, and political events acted outside official approval.
“At no time did the army assign soldiers to him as personal guards. Those following him were operating illegally. Anyone caught again will face sanctions,” the source warned.
The Army’s action follows a wave of public outrage in Okitipupa, where aggrieved Tantita workers on Wednesday stormed the palace of the Lisa of Idepe-Okitipupa, High Chief Adekanmi Adegbola, demanding two years of unpaid wages and accusing Asonja of salary diversion.
Carrying placards reading “Two years without salary” and “Tompolo should investigate Ondo Tantita boss,” the protesters alleged that Asonja inflated payroll figures with ghost names while secretly hiring casual workers to siphon operational funds.
One of the workers, Dagunro Sola, pleaded in a viral video: “We are begging Tompolo to intervene before December. We have not been paid for two years.”
The Lisa of Idepe assured the crowd he would mediate but urged patience; Accusations of Arson, and Royal Insult Escalate Tension
The unrest escalated after youths under the Ikale Youth Representatives accused Asonja of leading armed men—allegedly including soldiers—to burn down the home of High Chief Ayodele Omodogbe following a confrontation over his alleged disruptive conduct in the community.
They further alleged that Asonja insulted the Jegun of Idepe-Okitipupa, His Royal Majesty Oba Michael Obatuga, abruptly hanging up on the monarch during a call.
“Asonja’s arrogance is now a security threat. He terrorises residents with armed soldiers and desecrates our royal institution,” the youths declared.
They also claimed that Asonja assaulted his own Chief Security Officer, Owoyele Omotuyi Joseph, during the recent armed raid.
The Ikale youth group presented a list of demands: Immediate withdrawal of all soldiers attached to Asonja; Relocation of Tantita’s office out of Okitipupa, insisting no oil pipelines exist in the town; Public apology to the Jegun of Idepe for “royal desecration;" and Full corruption probe into payroll manipulation and diversion of funds.
They vowed to present evidence of forged payroll documents allegedly submitted to Tantita’s Delta headquarters.