Armed security operatives take over Bayelsa community

Yenagoa—Heavily armed mobile policemen have been deployed in the troubled riverine town of Agbere, in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the theatre of Tuesday’s violent youth skirmish, during which property worth millions of naira was destroyed. Though community sources claimed that 11 persons lost their lives in the clash, the police, yesterday, confirmed the death of one youth in the violence. Meanwhile, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Kins Omire, has described as “brazen illegality and violent” the Tuesday attack and burning down of houses by youths over chieftaincy tussle in the community. Omire, who visited the troubled community, yesterday, said: “Four houses owned by the paramount ruler were burnt and another chief had his own burnt too. Report we had earlier was that there were killings recorded but when we got to the place, we saw that only a teenage boy was killed. We are confident that these brazen acts of illegality caused by jobless youths, will be dealt with.” He said six persons had been arrested over their alleged involvement in the killing and in the arson. Omire, who recounted how he led armed mobile policemen to the community to dislodge the rampaging youths, said though the police authorities had established, from investigations that the community was known for perennial violence and communal clashes, added that Tuesday’s action was a brazen display of criminality. The oil rich community, which is host to Nigerian Agip Oil Company and Shell Petroleum and Development Company was rocked by violence Tuesday over alleged chieftaincy tussle.