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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Bayelsa Imposes Curfew on Community After Fatal Clash

From The Punch · (6m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Bayelsa State Government imposes a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
  • The curfew follows a fatal communal clash that resulted in one death and forced residents to flee.
  • The crisis reportedly stemmed from an incident involving the former youth president and alleged theft of electric poles.

The Bayelsa State Government has taken decisive action to restore peace and order in Ogboinbiri Community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, by imposing a dusk-to-dawn curfew. This measure comes in response to a violent communal clash that tragically claimed the life of a resident and sent many others fleeing their homes, creating an atmosphere of fear and instability.

As part of efforts to maintain public peace, the Bayelsa State Government has declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Ogboinbiri Community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

— Hon. Ebiuwou Obiyai, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and StrategyAnnouncing the imposition of the curfew.

The crisis reportedly erupted when the former youth president, Mr. Experience Pere, was allegedly found with stolen metal electric poles. This incident, reported by concerned residents, led to a retaliatory attack by Mr. Pere and his supporters against individuals perceived to be associated with the complainant, Maxwell. The violence escalated, resulting in damage to properties, including those of the Paramount Ruler, His Royal Highness Okosughe Eseimokumo, and the tragic death of one Ifolo.

While the local council chairman has made previous attempts at peace interventions, they have proven unsuccessful. The current curfew, effective from 6 pm to 6 am daily, aims to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of the remaining residents. The government has warned that defaulters will be treated as threats to public peace, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

The curfew, which commences on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 6 pm to 6 am daily, shall be in force until further notice. Defaulters shall be treated as a threat to public peace. The cooperation of all is therefore anticipated.

— Hon. Ebiuwou Obiyai, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and StrategyProviding details and expectations regarding the curfew.

It is crucial to note that the council has clarified that this crisis is distinct from the ongoing Ogboinbiri chieftaincy dispute. The swift imposition of the curfew demonstrates the state government's commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting its citizens from the devastating consequences of communal violence. The arrest of three suspects is a step towards ensuring accountability for the unrest.

The crisis was not linked to the ongoing Ogboinbiri chieftaincy dispute.

— Southern Ijaw Local Government CouncilClarifying the nature of the unrest.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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