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Bayelsa Community Exonerates Ex-Militant Leader Over Alleged Complicity In Election Killings

January 12, 2016

On Tuesday, the indigenes of Peremabiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State described as "fictional" and "distorted" the report regarding the attack on Sunday upon their community by gunmen which led to the death of one person and the shooting of Paramount Rule, Progress Neverdie.

On Tuesday, the indigenes of Peremabiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State described as "fictional" and "distorted" the report regarding the attack on Sunday upon their community by gunmen which led to the death of one person and the shooting of Paramount Rule, Progress Neverdie.

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The violent attack, which occurred a few hours after the election, was reported to have been led by an ex-militant leader and allegedly provoked by the outcome of the Governorship election in the State.

The elders of the community including Albert Otokolo, Community Woman Leader, Dorothy Season, and the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Keepwell Isiah confirmed that an attack upon the community did occur. However, the elders maintained that the violence was not political in nature and was certainly not a reaction to the election results.  

According to the community elders, the gunmen were led by the injured Progress Neverdie.  Their attack upon the community went against the agreed peace accord between the Peremabiri Communities 1 and 2.

"On Sunday at 2 P.M., Progress Neverdie led several armed youths into Peremabiri 1 and the resulting gunfire led to the death of Erepade Bokodo.The community people chased them and we saw him [Progress Neverdie] fall.We never knew where he was shot," the 82-year old Herbert Otokolo said.

Elder Otokolo confirmed that those apprehended and the indigenes of the community have since reconciled and all is forgiven.

One of the apprehended youths, identified as Token Williams, claimed that the attack was targeted at the ex-militant leader, Eris Paul (AKA Ogunboss) because his presence was a threat to the existing leadership of Peremabiri Community.

When contacted for comment on his alleged involvement in the violence and shooting of the Paramount Ruler, Mr. Paul denied complicity in the crisis and said it was not politically motivated as claimed by some politicians.

According to Mr. Paul, the governorship election ended before the injured Paramount Ruler allegedly led some armed youths to provoke a crisis.

“‎The incident had nothing to do with politics The election occurred before the attack on Sunday. In addition, only one person was shot dead and not the six claimed by the media."

"When the attackers came, the people of the community regrouped and apprehended some of them while hiding in the bush. But now, we have peace in the community. Instead of providing a true account of events, people are engaging in disinformation and propaganda to suit their political interests," the ex-militant stated.

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CRIME Politics