Warring youths of Opolo in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, have over-powered police officers on a peace mission, vandalising their drone and hijacking the drone control panel which subsequently led to the crash of the drone.

Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Musa Muhammed, disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday, Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

Giving details of the incident, he said: “On Monday, 19^thFebruary, 2024, at about 1045 hours, one Chief Ekezie Gabriel came to the control room and reported that two persons were found lifeless in Opolo. The youths of Opolo claimed they were murdered by Okutukutu youths who invaded their community.

“Upon receipt of the information 10 patrol teams from various tactical units were dispatched with a phantom drone to monitor and contain the situation, during which the patrol teams discovered a lifeless body and also rescued a critically injured person to the hospital.

“The hoodlums from Opolo attacked the drone’s operators dispatched to the scene and hijacked the drone control panel which subsequently led to the crash of the drone.

“With the prompt intervention of the policemen, law and order was restored. Although the drone was recovered, the critical components were vandalised by the hoodlums.

“Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and effort is ongoing with a view to arrest other fleeing hoodlums.”