Some concerned citizens of Opu-Nembe in Bayelsa State led by 28 Chiefs, have called for the intervention of security agencies in the crisis ravaging the community.
The concerned citizens, who lamented that they have been expelled from the community by youths led by their President, Mr Moses Ayerite, cried for help over what they called the continued “organized humiliation, assault, intimidation” they were being subjected to.
The Chiefs at a press conference addressed in Yenagoa, the State capital under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Opu-Nembe, decried the alleged intimidation being meted out to them by youths of the community because of their relationship with the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the State, Chief Timipre Marlin Sylva.
Speaking on behalf of the Chiefs, Chief Keingmosuote Monday Degi expressed sadness that the relative peace being enjoyed in the community has been allegedly shattered by the youths.
The aggrieved Chiefs while recalling the invasion of the community in February noted that rather than addressing the issues that led to the invasion, the youths have destroyed houses with the climax being the expulsion of the Chiefs from the community.
According to them, they found it strange that the youths could expel them because of their presence at Sylva’s birthday anniversary when he is also a son of the soil.
“Precisely on Saturday, 8 July, 2023, the president of the youth’s federation, Mr. Ayerite Ebinimi Moses pronounced the exiling of 28 Chiefs from Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri). The Chiefs attended the birthday party of Chief (Hon.) Timipre Marlin Sylva, former Minister of Petroleum, State.
“We cannot decipher the rationale that prompted such a prerogative and bizarre act.
“The question is: when did such an act of celebrating with a son and brother on his birthday become a crime in Opu-Nembe and/or anywhere in the world? And the consequence of such is the loss of the right of citizenship or indigeneship of Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) Community,” he stated.
Chief Degi stated that their freedom of association was being threatened as they were yet to see anywhere in the Nigerian constitution or the Constitution of the Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs that was violated.
The chiefs implored security agencies to move into the community to forestall a total breakdown of law and order.
“Therefore, we are calling on relevant law enforcement agencies, such as the Police, Military (JIF), and DSS, to come to our aid and enthrone peace in the community. There should be permanent occupation of military personnel in good numbers to forestall further unleashing of mayhem, gangsterism, rape and cultism on the innocent and law-abiding citizens of Opu-Nembe community,” he added.
But, a member of Mr Ayerite-led executive council, Mr Nimbofa Collins, who is the Vice Chairman in a swift reaction, said the chiefs were expelled from the community for not being sensitive to the plight of the people that lost their loved ones during the February invasion of the community.
According to him, Sylva promised to bring the culprits to book but has not done so.
Last modified: July 12, 2023
