OPU-NEMBE (BASSAMBIRI) CRISIS
SYNOPSIS
*It is rooted in political intolerance and desperation for power
*During the 2019 governorship election, those identified as non-supporters of APC were chased out of Opu-Nembe, creating an IDP situation in the state
*On Nov 13, 2019, members and supporters of the PDP were brutally attacked, shot at and killed when the governorship campaign trail got to Opu-Nembe
*On Feb 15 this year, at least three persons were killed over disagreement in the community youth leadership. The perpetrators were allegedly supporters of a governorship candidate and til date none of them has been arrested, including the alleged mastermind, Kojo Sam.
*The police failed to act on several petitions on the matter and they all are walking freely and boasting that they will do more
*On Sat, Aug 12, a detachment of policemen and alleged political thugs dressed in police camouflage stormed the community in 19 Hilux vehicles and three Coaster buses. Their disguised mission was to arrest those identified as being opposed to the ambition of a governorship candidate from the area.
*One of the eight persons arrested and paraded by the police on Monday is the brother of the youth president, an Engineering graduate who is engage in legitimate business and was in his shop in neighbouring Ogbolomabiri community. The youth president is perceived to be against the ambition of the governorship candidate (Chief Timipre Sylva)
*Women in the community, dressed in black, openly protested against the police invasion, arrest of their youths and indeed the ambition of Sylva. They’ve called for President Tinubu’s intervention (see the visuals)
*A woman that was shot was moved to Yenagoa on Monday from the Ogbolomabiri hospital when the Dep Gov visited the community (see visual of woman on hospital bed)
*Community currently deserted. Only policemen deployed by IGP in community
*IGP disobeyed a high court court order against arresting anyone in community pending determination of suit
*Thugs infiltrated the IGP team deployed and they are causing mayhem in the community
*The thugs are in a hotel owned by one Darius Obiene near the community motor park. The police aware they are there and did nothing. Evidence that they are working together
*Bayelsa Dep Gov visited community and called on IGP to withdraw the policemen to pave way for genuine peace and reconciliation
*Govt also asked the IGP to arrest those behind the Feb 15 killings, including Kojo Sam
*The House of Assembly passed resolution on Monday condemning the police invasion
*Asked the IGP to obey court order
*Police authorities silent on the five suspects arrested with arms in two Hilux vehicles by the military joint task force, Operation Delta Safe, on Saturday night at Otakeme in Ogbia and handed over to the state police command. The suspects include a policeman, an NSCDC operative and three others.
*Where is their whereabouts while they’ve paraded eight other alleged suspects?
*IGP needs to prove he is not biased ahead of the governorship election in the state
