Opu-Nembe Incident: Bayelsa Govt Sues For Calm, Urges IGP To Arrest Suspects

The Bayelsa state government has called for calm over the renewed and unfortunate attack by suspected political thugs on Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) community on Saturday, August 12, 2023.

Ayibaina Duba, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy in a statement made available to Quickresponse, called on the Inspector General of Police to cause an immediate investigation aimed at unraveling the identity of those criminals, and their sponsors, who have continued to undermine public peace in Nembe.

The statement read: "The attention of the Bayelsa State Government has been called to the Saturday 12th August 2023 unfortunate security situation in Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri), creating a serious sense of insecurity, panic and fear among the people of the community.

"There is the suspicion that the attack on the community is not unconnected with the upcoming November, 11 gubernatorial elections in the state and the crude desire of some unpopular politicians to impose their will on the voters of the area.

"The State Government wishes to enjoin the people of Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area and indeed all residents of the state to remain calm as the government will continue to work with the police and its sister agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book.

"The Bayelsa State Government calls on the Inspector General of Police to cause an immediate investigation aimed at unraveling the identity of these criminals, and their sponsors, who have continued to undermine public peace in Nembe.

"It is time to stop handling the tormentors of the Nembe people with a kid's glove.

"The police high command must be on top of the situation without further delay."