The Ekpetun/Feghe families and Tonbini-Polo /Quarter in Agbifiama Community, Ekeremor Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa have raised the alarm over their persecution by the community leadership for daring to resist the replacement of their representative at the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT).

HCDT is the governance template for host community development under the Petroleum Industry Act.

The aggrieved residents of the oil community said they have drawn the attention of the Bayelsa State Government and security agencies to the violation of their fundamental rights.

They noted that they were being ostracised and persecuted by HRH, Kipasa Emcy, Amanana-Owei of Agbidiama Community and Peaceful Samson, Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman.

A statement by High Chief Ebiama Napoleon Ofonibeinghen of Tarakiri Kingdom on behalf of Ekpetun/Feghe families and Tonbini-Polo/Quarter in Agbifiama Community said the attack on members of the said family is connected to a petition and court process filed against the traditional ruler, Emcy and the CDC Chairman, Samson and others over the wrong replacement of Mrs Blessing Ekpetun as a member, board of trustees for the Tarakiri Host Communities Development Trust.

The statement notes that the matter is already before a court which requires parties involved to maintain the status quo and wondered why the Ekpetun/Feghe families and Tonbini-Polo /Quarter in Agbifiama Community are at the receiving end of inhumane and degrading treatments from the leadership of the community.

It said that after a kangaroo meeting of the community leadership decisions were reached not to allow Tonbini-polo Compound produce the next CDC Chairman which is ordinarily zoned to the compound and that no member of the Ekpetun/Feghe families including women and children should be allowed to step in or out of the community or even buy or sell anything or do business of any kind with any indigene of the community, saying any person found transacting business of any kind with any member of the Ekpetun/Feghe families will be fined N10,000.

According to the statement members of the Ekpetun/Feghe family including women and children have also been restricted from talking to any other indigene of the community while the electricity connections in the houses owned and occupied by members of the Ekpetun/Feghe Families have also been disconnected leaving them in total darkness and all benefits, rights and privileges due them as members of the community will be denied them.

The statement notes that in view of the ban/sanctions all sources for survival and livelihood of members of the Ekpetun/Feghe families have been taken away from them, saying they are now outcasts in their fathers land. A land that had their father, the late HRH, Chief Johnson Ekpetun as the first ever traditional ruler of the community.

The statement called on the Bayelsa State Government and other relevant agencies of government to come to the rescue of Ekpetun and Feghe families and call the leadership of Agbidiama community to order before the situation degenerates into loss of lives and anarchy which may extend to affecting oil production activities of Shell and Nigeria Agip.

They noted that as law abiding citizens they took the civilised part by seeking legal redress and would not want to be tempted to seek self help in their current plight which would lead the breakdown of law and order and affect oil and gas exploration in the area.

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