Juliet Akoje in Abuja
The Bayelsa State caucus of the House of Representatives yesterday has alleged that the invasion of the Opu-Nembe Community by policemen, leading to the death and the arrest of several youths was politically motivated.
The lawmakers said that the incident was targeted at destroying the peace of the administration which Governor Douye Diri has brought to Bayelsa State that is being enjoyed by all.
The lawmakers, during a press briefing at the national assembly yesterday, also called for a thorough investigation of the incident.
The lawmakers include: Hon Agbedi Frederick (Chairman), Hon Mitama Obordor (Secretary), Hon Marie Ebikake and Hon Rodney Ambaiowei.
Ebikake, while speaking on behalf of the group said: “We want to, in the strongest terms, condemn the killing and maiming of innocent citizens in Opu-Nembe in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State acting on the behest of individuals bent on destroying the existing peace with the invasion of Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) by men of the Nigerian Police Force (SWAT) in a Gestapo fashion.
“What happened at Opu-Nembe Community on the 12th of August, 2023 is politically motivated and targeted at destroying the peace that the prosperity administration led by His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri has brought to Bayelsa State which is enjoyed by all. We wish to commend the immediate response of the Bayelsa State government led by His Excellency Senator Douye Diri to the crisis and the effort to dilute the tension in the affected community. The raid caused death of innocent citizens and indiscriminate arrest and detention of scores of Opu Nembe (Bassambiri) youths, who are presently in the custody of the Nigeria Police at Abuja.
“May we, also remind the IG that a ‘sting’ operation of such nature carried out in total disregard of existing protocols, with regards to the role of the executive governor as the chief security officer of the state, within his domain, in the clear absence of imminent threat to national security, is not only a threat to our democracy but raises questions of the presence of the Joint Security Task Force stationed in the community over the years. We implore that a commission of inquiry be set up in the aftermath of the incident to determine the root cause of the crisis and proffer a permanent solution to these unfortunate incidents in Opu Nembe (Bassambiri)”
Furthermore the group added: “We want to use this opportunity to call on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, empanel a high powered commission of inquiry on the immediate and remote causes including the role of the Nigeria Police particularly the SWAT department, their source of funding and other individuals who played roles in the armed invasion to ensure the perpetrators are fished out and made to face the wrath of the law. This will not only act as a deterrent but also send a message to individuals with a selfish agenda not to tarnish the image of your government and the democratic reputation you have brought into governance.
“We also want to use this medium to offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the unfortunate incident kingdom to please remain calm and allow peace and call on all sons and daughters of Nembe to reign in the kingdom.”
