Police Explain Bayelsa Community Invasion as Bayelsa Assembly Condemns Attack

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Police Command yesterday claimed the alleged invasion of Opu-Nembe community in Nembe local government area of the state, was a sting operation by police operatives.

A statement by the Command’s spokesman, Asinim Butswats, said contrary to information being  that armed thugs dressed in Police uniforms invaded the community, the command explained that a detachment of Mobile Policemen (PMF) and SWAT operatives from Force Headquarters, Abuja carried out a sting operation in the community.

He revealed that some arms and ammunition were recovered and suspects arrested, adding that the sting operation was conducted professionally, based on the standard operating procedure of the Nigeria Police Force.

While saying that no life was lost, the command urged members of the community to go about their lawful and legitimate businesses as the Police would not harass or intimidate any law abiding citizen.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State House of Assembly,  yesterday passed a resolution under matters of urgent importance condemning last Saturday’s invasion of Opu-Nembe community .

The legislators said the invasion led to destruction of property and alleged loss of lives.

Speaking on the floor of the assembly during deliberations on a motion sponsored by the lawmaker representing Nembe Constituency 1, Oteigbanyo George-Braah, the Speaker, Abraham Ingobere, urged the Inspector General (IG) of Police to obey a subsisting  court order by withdrawing the policemen deployed in Opu-Nembe.

The House also urged the IG, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police and other relevant security agents to carry out a comprehensive investigation and promptly arrest the perpetrators.

As part of its resolution, the House called on the Bayelsa State Government to immediately set up a judicial commission of inquiry while urging the federal government and the state government to take appropriate measures to forestall further attacks on the community.

The lawmakers further called on the Bayelsa Caucus in the National Assembly to raise the Opu-Nembe issue on the floor of both chambers.

Sponsor of the motion, George-Braah, described the situation in the community as dire and deserving of urgent attention.

In separate remarks, the Deputy Speaker, Michael Ogbere, Leader of the House, Monday Bubou, the Chief Whip, Gabriel Ogbara, Bernard Kenebai and other legislators expressed sadness over the invasion by the police, which they unanimously said was politically motivated.

The lawmakers stressed that if the situation in Opu-Nembe was treated with kid gloves, it would spill over to other communities thus disrupting the peace of the state.