The banishment of 28 chiefs by the youth leadership of Opu-Nembe Bassambiri in Bayelsa State has sparked protests and calls for increased security in the community. The chiefs and indigenes, organized under the Concerned Citizens of Opu-Nembe Bassambiri, have appealed to the government and security agencies to intervene and ensure the safety of the community.
The chiefs were banished for attending the birthday party of Chief Timipre Sylva, the immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The group condemned their banishment and called for the deployment of a substantial number of military personnel to prevent further violence, gangsterism, rape, and cult activities in the community.
Speaking on behalf of the group and the banished chiefs, Chief Kiengmosuote Monday-Degi, a traditional chief, expressed concern over the actions of the youth and their tendency to exile those who criticize their criminal activities in the community. He questioned why attending a birthday party should be considered a crime and result in the loss of citizenship rights.
The affected chiefs and prominent individuals in the community called on law enforcement agencies, including the police, military, and Department of State Services (DSS), to restore peace in the area. They stressed the need for a permanent military presence to prevent further acts of violence, including looting, gangsterism, rape, and cultism.
In response, the Vice President of the youth group, Nimibofa Collins, confirmed the expulsion of the chiefs and elders. He stated that the decision was made because the banished individuals showed indifference towards addressing the concerns of those who lost their lives during a recent invasion of the community by gunmen. Collins criticized Chief Sylva for failing to fulfill his promise of bringing the culprits to justice.
The community remains tense as the banished chiefs and their supporters demand justice and security measures to safeguard the well-being of the residents.
