Police arrest of Four IYC youth leaders trigger protest in Bayelsa

There is rising anger in Oyiakiri clan of Aliebiri community in Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa following the protest against the allege arrest of Four clan leaders of the umbrella body of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) by armed men of the Anti-kidnapping squad of the State Police command over a dispute concerning revenue collection of logging in the area.

According to the protesting Youths, those allegedly arrested are the Financial Secretary, IYC Central Zone, Comrade kurokpola Thompson, the Oyiakiri Clan Treasurer, Comrade Mathew Eduntu and the IYC Oyiakiri Clan Secretary, Comrade Kelvin Ogbo and alleged that the arrested order was issued by the member representing Ekeremor Constituency 1 at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Tare Porri.

The angry, youths, who stormed the Secretariat of the Aleibiri Council of Chiefs, threatened to become violent if those arrested are not released immediately.

The Vice Chairman of the IYC in Oyiakiri clan, Comrade Solomon Arekekeme, told NAIJA LIVE TV that the allege illegal arrest was carried out on Tuesday 29th of March 2022 at about 4am with several gun shots by armed men later identified as thugs and heavily armed policemen from the State Anti-Kidnapping squad.

“These men invaded our community broke down door in the homes of those arrested. We remained calm and did not take laws into our hands because we have a State Governor that as told us never to distrupt the peace existing in the state. We are calling on the State Governor to intervene and ensure those arrested are released.”

Also speaking, Pere Thompson, called on the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri and the State Police Commissioner, Ben Okolo to come to the rescue of the youths,” ​ the youths of the community are seriously unsatisfied with the self-centered, depriving and oppressive leadership of their our State Assembly member, Hon. Tare Porri and are​ pleading with relevant authorities to please address the issue before he kills every one.”

Reacting to the allegations, the member of the House of Assembly representing Ekeremor Constituency 1, Hon. Tare Porri denied the claims of the youths and accused the national spokesman of the IYC, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe of allege instigation of the crisis.

Hon. Porri said the arrest of the youths was based on the formal petition to the State Commissioner of Police on the allege attack on his manager by the boys,” acting on the petition, the police arrested the boys and investigation is ongoing for them to be charged to court.”

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