Some chiefs and indigenes of Opu-Nembe Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have called for government and security agencies to intervene and beef up security in the community following the banishment of 28 chiefs by the youth leadership of the community.

The chiefs and Indigenes under the aegis of Concern Citizens of Opu-Nembe Bassambiri, lamented that they were bansihed for attending the birthday party of the immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, last weekend in the state capital.

They called for 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.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Yenagoa on behalf of the group and exiled chiefs, Chief Kiengmosuote Monday-Degi, a traditional chief said: “It has become a phenomenal act of the youths of Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) to send on exile any perceived enemies who tries to speak against their criminal reign and Fetishism in the community.

“Precisely on Saturday, 8^th July, 2023, the president of the youths 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 prerogative and bizarre act.

“The question is: when did such act of celebrating with a son and brother in his birthday become a crime in Opu-Nembe and/or anywhere in world? And the consequence of such is the loosing of the right of citizenship or indigeneship of 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 that was violated by us, regarding the attending of someone’s birthday party.

“We therefore, would want to ask: on what premises and temerity the youth president and his cohorts are exercising the power to ostracize or exile us and our houses immediately invaded, vandalized and property looted away.

“Therefore, we are calling on relevant law enforcement agency, 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, when contacted the youths Vice President, Nimibofa Collins confirmed the expulsion of 28 chiefs and elders.

He said the decision was taken because the people are unconcerned about the plights of those who had lost their lives during an invasion of the community by gunmen where the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Sylva had promised to bring the culprits to book but did nothing after. (Vanguard: Text, Excluding Headline)

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