The fresh allegations are coming on the heels of the attack and brutalisation of some journalists during an on-the-spot assessment of the community.
The Inspector General of Police detachment of Mobile Policemen (PMF) and SWAT operatives deployed to the troubled Nembe community of Bayelsa State have been accused of taking sides in the crisis by allowing criminals to operate unhindered.
The fresh allegations are coming on the heels of the attack and brutalisation of some journalists during an on-the-spot assessment of the community.
Speaking with some journalists on Wednesday, in Yenagoa, the state capital, Israel Sunny-Goli, the immediate past member representing Nembe-Brass federal constituency said the Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun should withdraw police personnel from the community immediately because "they are biased in their operations and are being used to do a bidding".
“The recent sting operation in Opu Nembe (Bassambiri), Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State, conducted by a detachment of Mobile Policemen (PMF) and SWAT operatives from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, has thrown the community into a state of palpable fear, anxiety and mourning as the operation left in its wake a loss of life.
“While the Bayelsa State Police Command has issued a statement to allay the fears of the people of Opu Nembe community, which was followed up by a press briefing from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, it is imperative to state that until the root cause of the incessant upheavals in Opu Nembe is addressed, by ensuring that all the actors behind the crisis are brought to book, peace and order will remain elusive to the people of the community,” he said
According to Mr Sunny-Igoli, not until the police chief treats all parties fairly in the community by addressing all petitions submitted earlier against those who carried out heinous crimes in the past and present, peace will never return to Opu-Nembe.
He said, “It is instructive to state that Opu Nembe (Bassambiri) was relatively peaceful, with residents going about their legitimate business after the Amanyanabo of Opu-Nembe Kingdom, King Biobelemoye Josiah successfully brokered peace among all the warring factions in the community, until certain individuals on Wednesday, 15th February 2023, decided to unleash mayhem, leaving scores injured and three dead.
“Regrettably, the perpetrators of the 15th February 2023 unprovoked attack on unarmed Opu Nembe citizens have not been brought to justice, thus walking freely. I make bold to say that until justice is done, attaining and achieving long-lasting peace in Opu Nembe will remain wishful thinking.
“In the light of the above-stated, I am calling on the Acting Inspector General of Police, to without bias, and for the sake of justice, ensure that all the actors behind the unrest in Opu Nembe (Bassambiri), are arrested and diligently prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others, and restore peace and order to Opu Nembe Kingdom."
However, Sunny-Igoli who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state said all those involved in the unrest are members of the party.
He exonerated Governor Douye Diri of fuelling the ongoing violence in the community.