Tension in Bayelsa over armed thugs attack on monarch
Ikeibiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State was on Saturday enveloped with tension following attacks by suspected thugs on the Community Monarch, Chief Kingdom Orio, and many others over the disputed leadership of the community.
According to a eyewitness, the suspected thugs, numbering about 30, and allegedly hired by the Chairman of the of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abiola Beredou, invaded the community during a peace meeting to resolve the disputes over the Chairmanship of the Youth Leadership.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident turned bloody when the suspected thugs invaded the peace meeting and beat up the Chief to a state of stupor and attacked those attempting to resist the invasion.
A source also said that the attack, which would have led to killings, was thwarted by the arrival of military personnel stationed at Ogbeinbiri Oil Station in the Southern Ijaw Area.
According to the source, “the suspected thugs invaded the Usaku Wari family meeting and they were led by the CDD Chairman of Ikebiri Kingdom who was imposed to the Community last December.”
We also gathered that the peace meeting, which was called to discuss matters affecting the well-being of the Usaku Wari in Ikebiri Kingdom, turned bloody after the attack.
The source further said “Yesterday Mr Abiola Beredou, the CDC Chairman of Ikebiri 1 community who was imposed to the Kingdom by those who are claiming owners of the oil rich community went into the peaceful family meeting with armed Thugs and beats up Chief Kingdom Orio who happens to be the family Chief of Usaku Wari in Tamakuno Compound.”
“The so called CDC Chairman is from the same Usaku Warri Family. He was said to be angry because the family chief and other stakeholders who imposed Mr Abiola to the community and decided to make peace with other family members who have been aggrieved since the imposition of Mr Abiola to the community.”
“Abiola came into the meeting with more than 30 armed thugs to invade the meeting. It took drastic effort by the men of the JTF to Calm down the situation.”
“What a shame. A community leader which primarily responsibilities are to protect his people is now moving with thugs to intimidate his family members”
An indigene of the Ikibiei community and the owner of a social media outfit, Naijalive Television, Comrade Saint Meipano, who confirmed the development and condemned the action of the hired thugs and their sponsors, said “I totally condemn the invasion of the Usaku Wari family meeting yesterday morning by thugs lead by the CDD Chairman of Ikebiri Kingdom who was imposed to the Community last December.”
