Bloody Communal crisis looms in Bayelsa communities over trial census

A major bloody clash allegedly looms between the Okpoama and Odioma communities of Brass Local Government areas of Bayelsa State over the ongoing trial census following the issuance of eviction to indigenes of the Otokolo-ama fishing community by some armed youths, warning that they quit within 24 hours or face wanton killings.

The worried indigenes of Otokolo-ama fishing community, whose allegiance are with the Okpoama community, alleged that the armed youths that issued the notice are from Odioma community.

NAIJA LIVE TV gathered that the armed youths, numbering about ten and armed with an AK-47 assault rifle and machetes, were alleged to have stormed the Otokolo-ama fishing community in a speedboat and warned the residents to quit within 24 hours before boarding the boat and zoomed off.

A fisherman and resident of Otokolo-ama community, who pleaded anonymity, told NAIJA LIVE TV on telephone that despite the fact that the people of the settlement have been living in the community since 1989, “the warning from the Odioma youths that we should vacate the area and claim ownership is shocking.”

He claimed that the eviction notice was not strange, but “ they came on Wednesday and started shooting into the air to show they mean business. They​ once came with an exercise book requesting that we write the names of the residents but we refused because when I came in 1989 it was the Okpoama people that gave me permission to live in the community. It was the threat that made us to leave immediately because we don’t know what they have planned.” He said.

He called on the Police and the State Government to come to their aid, saying that it would be a challenge to feed his wife and six children.

A 52 years old woman, who also insisted on anominity, said “when they came they asked me questions which i refused to answer. So they took my basin of fish and threw it into the river. They were about ten of them. One of them told me:​ “Tell those your Okpoama people that the day we meet them, there will be shootout.”

She said her sister has a 4months old baby and in order not to endanger the life of the baby they left for Okpoama with the help of one of her sisters who brought a canoe to carry her belongings.

Commenting on the development, the Okpoama Kingdom Chiefs Council Chairman, Chief Inikio Sam Sele Dede, described the alleged action of the Odioma youths as an attempt to truncate the existing peace in the area, ”trial census was ongoing and Odioma youths were going round our communities chasing people away just to ensure that our population was reduced”.

“We know their fishing ports and they know ours. Our youths have not gone to their fishing settlements to cause trouble. We are too refined for that.’ He said.

He said the matter has been reported to the police for further investigation and necessary action.

Chief Dede however called on the security agencies to ensure the residents go back and live their normal life in the midst of harsh economic realities.

NAIJA LIVE TV gathered that an attempt by the Brass Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force, Oche Ochenika​ to resolve the matter failed because Odioma youths did not turn up, citing youth election conducted earlier in the week.

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