Tension in Bayelsa Community as Youth Leader Exiles 28 Chiefs for Attending Sylva’s Birthday

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

There is a growing tension in Opu-Nembe community as the crisis rocking the once peaceful kingdom in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State got messier at the weekend, when the youth leader exiled 28 chiefs and elders from the ancient town for attending the birthday ceremony of former Minister of State, Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva.

No fewer than 28 chiefs and prominent individuals from the community were sent on exile by the president of the community’s youths body, Mr. Ayerite Moses, who accused them of plot to plan another attack on the community.

The Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs had in a statement last month, accused Sylva, of sponsoring the attack in the community and subsequently passed a resolution to denied him access to the community.

The spokesman for the affected chiefs and elders, Chief Monday Degi, during a press conference in Yenagoa, appealed for permanent occupation of military personnel in good numbers to forestall further unleashing of mayhem.

He said the youths have destroyed over 20 houses and properties worth hundreds of millions in the community.

Speaking further, Degi, alleged that the youth president who had been having clashes with one Mr. Kojo Sam, a close ally of Sylva, over personal economic and financial dealings, was in the habit of sending armed youths to destroy and loot houses and personal properties of persons perceived to be close to his enemies.

The affected chiefs who claimed that their right of citizenship and indigeneship of Opu-Nembe community was being infringed upon, blamed the Executive of the Chiefs’ Council of Opu-Nembe for leaving the matter unchecked until an invasions of the community by armed youths in July, 2021 and in February 2023.

Degi said, “there was peace and tranquility enjoyed by the Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) community before inauguration of the present Youth Body in May 2020. This relative peace and tranquility continued until Mr. Ayerite Ebinimi Moses led Youths leadership and Mr. Kojo Sam (their master) had issues bothering on their personal economic and financial dealings.

“These issues were left unchecked or put under control by the Executive of the Chiefs’ Council until alleged invasions in July, 2021 and in February 2023 of the Opu-Nembe, Bassambiri, Community. As it is usual with clashes of rival gangs or Youths, there were casualties.

“Rather than dealing with so-called invaders, which they claimed they know, the Ayerite Ebinimi Moses-led youth leadership, hiding under the guise of these invasions has been wreaking havoc on the Opu-Nembe Bassambiri community.

“Mr. Ayerite Ebinimi Moses has promoted cultism, gangsterism and other social vices under these pretenses. The present social unrest, gangsterism and havoc created by Ayerite Ebinimi Moses-led youths leadership are in the areas stated hereunder: “Destruction of Houses and Personal Properties of Perceived and Apparent ‘Enemies.

“Since the inception of the Ayerite Ebinimi Moses youths leadership, the community is witnessing sporadic violence and endless social unrest, which has become phenomenal.”