Bayelsa Community Laments Military Invasion, Fingers Former Minister 

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Community, youths, women and leaders including the Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have raised the alarm over the menacing presence of security operatives who have laid siege to their community.

In a statement yesterday, Chairman, Opu-Nembe Kingdom Council of Chiefs, Chief Ezekiel Teigbenyo-Ikoli, called on the state, federal government and relevant agencies to come rescue the from the marauding armed security men.

While also calling on President Bola Tinubu to act fast before the situation get worse, they said the peaceful people of Opu-Nembe were currently facing a grave situation.

He claimed that the military personnel had invaded the community following directives by a former minister and his cohorts that had been terrorising the kingdom because of their closeness to the federal authorities.

He stated that the development came days after the community received credible intelligence reports of another imminent attack on the Opu-Nembe kingdom in order to cause chaos and mayhem in the area.

In the community’s last news conference held on May 18, the Council of Chiefs named the alleged sponsors and actors involved in the dastardly attacks. 

Teigbenyo-Ikoli said that the former minister was the person shielding the perpetrators of the dastardly act from being arrested by the security operatives.

He claimed: “The military men descended upon Opu-Nembe Friday creating a scene of fear, chaos and confusion as armoured vehicles and armed soldiers patrolled round the kingdom and searched houses, causing distress among the people. 

“The invasion has disrupted the daily lives of the community’s residents, leaving them feeling vulnerable and unsafe within their own homes.

“This unwarranted military presence threatens the core values of the peace loving people of Opu-Nembe. It is imperative that immediate action be taken to address the concerns of our people and restore the tranquillity they once enjoyed.”

Teigbenyo-Ikoli called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Bayelsa State government as well as other relevant authorities to intervene swiftly and ensure the protection of the Opu-Nembe Kingdom from any forms of attack as it was their rights to live in peace and be secured by the security agencies.

He noted: “We, the people of Opu-Nembe kingdom, deserve to live without fear, with our fundamental rights protected. Thus, we appeal for a swift end to this distressing situation and restore the harmony that the kingdom so deeply cherishes.”