A former lawmaker who represented Nembe-Brass Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, has appealed to the detachment of Mobile Policemen (PMF) and SWAT deployed by the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Egbetokun Olukayode, to restore peace in Opu-Nembe Community to conduct an unbiased investigation into the root cause of the crisis in order to attain and achieve long-lasting peace.
Speaking during a press conference in Yenagoa on Wednesday, Hon. Sunny-Goli explained that the crisis which began when some armed individuals decided to unleash mayhem on the crude oil-rich community on 15th February 2023 has led to the death of four persons and thrown the community into a state of palpable fear, anxiety, and mourning.
Speaking further, he said that it is imperative that the root cause of the incessant upheavals in Opu Nembe is addressed, by ensuring that all the actors behind the crisis are brought to book in order to serve as a deterrent to others, peace and order will remain elusive to the people who have long fled the community.
He said “The recent sting operation in Opu Nembe (Bassambiri), Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State, conducted by a detachment of Mobile Policemen (PMF) and SWAT operatives from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, has thrown the community into a state of palpable fear, anxiety, and mourning, as the operation left in its wake a loss of life.
“While the Bayelsa State Police Command has issued a statement, to allay the fears of the people of Opu Nembe community, which was followed up by a press briefing from the Force headquarters, Abuja, it is imperative to state that until the root cause of the incessant upheavals in Opu Nembe is addressed, by ensuring that all the actors behind the crisis are brought to book, peace and order will remain elusive to the people of the community.
“It is instructive to state that Opu Nembe (Bassambiri) was relatively peaceful, with residents going about their legitimate businesses after the Amanyanabo of Opu-Nembe Kingdom, King Biobelemoye Josiah successfully brokered peace among all the warring factions in the community, until certain individuals on Wednesday, 15th February 2023, decided to unleash mayhem, leaving scores injured and three dead.
“Regrettably, the perpetrators of the 15th February 2023 unprovoked attack on unarmed Opu Nembe citizens have not been brought to justice, thus walking freely. I make bold to say that until justice is done, attaining and achieving long-lasting peace in Opu Nembe will remain wishful thinking.
“In the light of the above stated, I am calling on the Acting Inspector General of Police, to without bias, and for the sake of justice, ensure that all the actors behind the unrest in Opu Nembe (Bassambiri), are arrested and diligently prosecuted in order to serve as a deterrent to others, and restore peace and order to Opu Nembe Kingdom.
“May I also call on His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri, to do all within his powers to ensure the restoration of peace and order to Opu Nembe kingdom, by prevailing on the authorities of the Nigerian Police Force to withdraw the tactical team sent to Opu Nembe, and in its place, set up a joint task force with a mandate to ensure the restoration of peace in the community, in order to allow all those who have fled from the community to return, and start living their normal lives.”
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