There were noticeable tensions in Bayelsa State, on Thursday, following the armed invasion of the Peremabiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) by more than 200 policemen.
There were noticeable tensions in Bayelsa State, on Thursday, following the armed invasion of the Peremabiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) by more than 200 policemen.
The police were reacting to alleged cases of post-election violence and the shooting of the Paramount Ruler of the community, Progress Neverdie.
The post-election violence in Peremabiri community has become a subject of controversy between loyalists of the ex-militant leader, Eris Paul (AKA General Ogunboss) and Governor Seriake Dickson. The issue is provoking fear amongst members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the State.
While concerned indigenes of the Peremabiri community absolved the ex-militant leader of blame and denied any political undertone to the crises, the loyalists of Governor Dickson allegedly believe the ex-militant leader is responsible due to his stance against the re-election campaign of Governor Dickson.
Sources within the Peremabiri community yesterday confirmed that the combined team of the Marine Police, Mobile Police, and men of the State-owned special security outfit Door Akpoor were all in the area.
It was gathered that the arrival of the armed security men, at about 10 A.M. on Thursday, provoked fear among indigenes as many ran away to neighboring communities.
It was learned that the armed men, dressed in black, approached the community in four gunboats and were armed with heavy weapons.
A community elder, Rowland Kiente, and the member of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Keepwell Isiah, confirmed the development on the phone describing it as an unwanted invasion.
Mr. Isiah stated that the move by the State government and the Nigerian Police was unwelcome and political in nature.
"Though the communal misunderstanding that led to the injury of the Paramount Ruler has been settled, the invasion has led to our people running out. This is a peaceful community, and if we wanted police protection we would have called for it."
When contacted on the development, the spokesman of the Bayelsa Police Command, Asimin Butswat, confirmed the deployment of the marine police and the mobile policemen to the community. However, Mr. Butswat maintained that the police presence was at the request of the indigenes.
"You know we [the police] have been witnessing disturbances in the community for some time. And the police responded by deploying some personnel to arrest those found culpable in the crises rocking the community. It is a rescue mission to arrest those ex-militants accused of perpetuating the violence in the community,” Mr. Butswat explained.