April 28, (THEWILL) — The reasons for the current crisis brewing in the Ogboinbiri community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa state have emerged.
This was contained in a press statement signed by Easter Day Ayibatairi, the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Southern Ijaw.
According to him, the Youth President of Ogboinbiri Community, Mr Experience Pere, whose tenure along with the Community Development Committee (CDC) has expired, but is still parading as such, was allegedly caught with some metal electric poles on Monday, suspected to have been stolen. He was reported by some indigenes of the community, led by one Maxwell, to men and officers of the anti-piracy unit at Ogboinbiri.
He further explained that Mr Experience Pere and some of his supporters took offence against Mr Maxwell, who reported the matter to the police, and went on a rampage, destroying some buildings belonging to the Paramount Ruler, His Royal Highness Okosughe Eseimokumo and others.
The irate youths also attacked some people suspected to be family members and supporters of the Paramount Ruler.
Information at the Council’s disposal has it that family members of the Paramount Ruler and his supporters who were attacked and stoned with bottles by the Experience-led group went on reprisal attack, leading to one Ifolo, whose second name could not be obtained at the time of this brief sustaining injury on his head. He was rushed to the Ogboinbiri Cottage hospital for medical attention, where doctors confirmed him dead.
Council is further briefed that several dozen indigenes have fled the community for fear of the unknown, while three suspects have been arrested in connection with the uprising.
“The present crisis is not connected to the Ogboinbiri chieftaincy dispute.
THEWILL recalls that the Southern Ijaw Local Government Council chairman, Honourable Target Isaiah Segibo, has repeatedly led Council delegations to the Ogboinbiri community that has been engulfed in crisis, with all the efforts proved abortive.
“Council is also aware that the Assured Prosperity administration under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, set up Committees headed by the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Professor Nimibofa Ayawe and another one headed by Senator Friday Kombowei Benson.
“We call on law enforcement agencies to move in and restore peace to avoid escalation of the crisis and bring perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.
“As a government, we condemn all forms of lawlessness in our communities, as such are capable of destroying public and private assets as well as endangering the lives of our people. Council is already on top of the matter”, he stated.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
