Three persons were feared killed yesterday in Brass area of Bayelsa State. The violence occurred when supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed in the area. One of those killed was identified as spokesman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), even as both sides have given conflicting reasons for the attacks.

According to sources close to PDP supporters, the three persons were killed when they attempted to assassinate the caretaker chairman of Brass Local Council Area, Victoria Isiah. But, the APC supporters claimed that the deaths occurred when some members of the IYC challenged over 10-armed men suspected to have been hired by the PDP from the neighbouring Odioma community.

Another source from the community, Charles Junior, said the clash took place when APC leant that PDP had camped thugs in the local council chairman’s lodge. He said: “The whole incident started on August 15, with the attack on the IYC chairman in Brass. Though the attackers and their PDP supporters were chased out of the town, but the elders pleaded that they be allowed back into town.”

The source revealed that the armed men were heading towards Imbikiri part of the town when the IYC challenged them. An aide to the caretaker chairman disclosed that the clash was due to provocation by some APC youths, following an earlier attack on the council’s special adviser on youths matter.

A post monitored on the chairman’s Facebook page, said: “A few days ago, some suspected armed APC youths attacked the local council chairman’s aide and PDP youths, and attempted to assassinate the caretaker chairman.”

When the spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, was contacted, he confirmed that: “There was a clash between youths who claimed to be PDP and APC members. One person was reported dead, while others were injured.

“We have deployed policemen to restore peace in the area. We have also commenced investigation to ascertain the remote and immediate cause of the crisis. We advise people to go about their normal activities.” (The Guardian)

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