Bayelsa Gov fires monarch, chiefs, youth leaders over violent crisis

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has removed the paramount ruler of Ogboinbiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Chief Okosughe Benson Eseimokumo, following a prolonged crisis in the area.

The governor also ordered the dissolution of the community’s council of chiefs, its community development committee, as well as the youth body, in what appears to be a sweeping move to restore order.

Diri made the announcement on Thursday during an event held at the Government House in Yenagoa, signalling the state government’s resolve to address the lingering unrest affecting the community.

The development follows a violent clash in the community on Tuesday, which reportedly led to loss of lives and destruction of property, prompting the state government to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew.

The governor directed his deputy, Peter Akpe, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Thompson Amule, to set up an interim committee to oversee the affairs of the community pending the restoration of peace.

He also ordered security agencies, including the police, to ensure that those involved in the violence are arrested and prosecuted.

Diri said the state government had yet to formally recognise Eseimokumo as paramount ruler due to the lingering crisis in the community.

He noted that several efforts by the government to resolve the conflict over the past few years had failed.

He said, “Security is everyone’s business. The state has been peaceful except for the unfortunate recent incident of killing and arson in Ogboinbiri community.

“I have been very patient with Ogboinbiri community. Violent disputes have been ongoing for about two to three years now.

“I had set up different committees to resolve the lingering conflict there to no avail. I even directed my deputy to intervene. I invited the traditional ruler and the youths to my office in Yenagoa, and, yet, recently, there was killing and burning of houses.”

The governor also urged residents to embrace peace, warning that the government would not tolerate further violence in the area.

“The paramount ruler of Ogboinbiri is hereby sacked as he has yet to be recognised by the state government. I was waiting for peace to be restored for us to recognise him, but, unfortunately, I am very sure he cannot hold that community together. We must say no to the evil acts in Ogboinbiri.

“We cannot afford to kill ourselves for pecuniary gains or for whatever reason. Ogboinbiri is an oil-producing community, and I keep telling them that what they are receiving are peanuts compared to what the oil companies get from Ogboinbiri,” he added.

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