Residents of Opu-Nembe Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State are appealing for the government and security agencies to intervene and strengthen security measures in their community.
This plea comes after the youth leadership of the community banished 28 chiefs for attending the birthday celebration of Chief Timipre Sylva, the immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state capital last weekend.
The chiefs and community members, united under the Concern Citizens of Opu-Nembe Bassambiri, expressed concern over the banishment and called for a substantial presence of military personnel to prevent further acts of violence, gangsterism, rape, and cultism against law-abiding residents of the Opu-Nembe community.
Chief Kiengmosuote Monday-Degi, a traditional chief, spoke on behalf of the group and the exiled chiefs during a press conference held in Yenagoa, “It has become a phenomenal act of the youths of Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) to send on exile any perceived enemies who try to speak against their criminal reign and
fetishism in the community.
“Precisely on Saturday, July 8, 2023, the president of the youth federation pronounced the exiling of 28 Chiefs from Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri).
“That, the said Chiefs attended the birthday party of His Excellency, Chief (Hon.) Timipre Marlin Sylva, former Minister of Petroleum, State. We cannot decipher the rationale that prompted such a on prerogative and bizarre act.
“The question is: when did such an act of celebrating with a son and brother on his birthday become a crime in Opu-Nembe and/or anywhere in the world? And the consequence of such is the loss of the right to citizenship or indigeneship of the Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) Community.
“In reference to the above, we, the affected traditional chiefs and prominent people of the community, do not comprehend what section of the Nigerian Constitution vis-à-vis the constitution of the Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs was violated by us, regarding the attending of someone’s birthday party.
“We, therefore, would want to ask: on what premises and with what temerity the youth president and his cohorts are exercising the power to ostracize or exile us and have our houses immediately invaded, vandalized, and property looted away?
“Therefore, we are calling on relevant law enforcement agencies, such as the Police, Military (JTF), DSS, etc., to come to our aid and enthrone peace in the community.
“There should be permanent occupation of military personnel in good numbers to forestall further unleashing of mayhem, gangsterism, rape and cultism on the innocent and law-abiding citizens of Opu-Nembe community. A stitch in time saves nine.”
Meanwhile, the Vice President of the youth group, Nimibofa Collins, verified the expulsion of 28 chiefs and elders in Opu-Nembe Bassambiri.
Collins explained that the decision was made due to the perceived lack of concern from these individuals regarding the plight of those who lost their lives during a community invasion by gunmen. He highlighted that despite assurances from Chief Sylva, the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, to bring the culprits to justice, no significant action was taken.
