A sense of unease is prevalent in Opu-Nembe in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State due to the infiltration of the community by unidentified gunmen purportedly clad in police and military attire.
According to reports, these gunmen arrived in the community at 7 pm on Saturday in 24 Toyota Hilux vehicles and six coaster buses, causing chaos among the residents.
A community source informed 9JA NEWS that the gunmen identified themselves as members of the SWAT team from Police Headquarters in Abuja and claimed to be in Opu-Nembe to apprehend some individuals who had allegedly ignored summons regarding the unresolved community crisis.
It was gathered that the angry, unclothed women of the community detained the invading policemen at the community entrance for several hours, while a young person, reportedly a deaf-mute, received a gunshot wound to the leg.
Despite the resistance from the protesting women, the armed policemen eventually gained entry into the deserted community, but failed to make any arrests.
However, the Bayelsa State Police Command, in a statement released by its Public Relations Officer, SP Asinim Butswat, stated: “In contrast to the false information being circulated on social media platforms, armed hooligans dressed in police uniforms invaded the Nembe Bassambiri community on August 12, 2023.
“The Bayelsa State Police Command wishes to unequivocally state that a contingent of Mobile Policemen (PMF) and SWAT operatives from Force Headquarters, Abuja, conducted a covert operation in Nembe Bassambiri on August 12, 2023, during which some firearms and ammunition were recovered and suspects were apprehended.”
Ayerite Moses, the Youth President of Opu Nembe Kingdom, confirmed the incident and alleged that the invasion of the community was carried out by gunmen utilizing the utility vehicles belonging to a renowned surveillance contractor from the community, with the assistance of some Abuja-based SWAT members.
Moses also claimed that five youths from the community have gone missing following the invasion, while three were detained by the unidentified gunmen. He asserted that the prompt report to the military base in Nembe prompted Major Kanu to intervene on Saturday night and hold discussions with the armed officers, resulting in a ceasefire.
Additionally, a short distance away from Nembe, operatives of the joint military task force, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), apprehended several armed youths at a checkpoint in Otakeme community of Ogbia Local Government Area.
Likewise, at Otakeme community in Ogbia LGA, one policeman and one Civil Defence officer were arrested yesterday evening in the company of armed youths while en route to Opu-Nembe.
Two security personnel, who were believed to be accompanying the gunmen for the purpose of invading Opu-Nembe, were also apprehended and are currently being detained at the JTF’s Sector 2 Command along with the armed youths.