One person was killed, and a farm settlement was burned during clashes between the Akaibiri and Bumoundi communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa and Anam farmers engaged in commercial agriculture in the region.
The Anam people from Anambra State have been operating farm settlements in various parts of Bayelsa to cultivate crops for commercial purposes.
According to Daily Trust, the conflict began on October 6, when Mr. Apah Abel from the Bumoundi community was allegedly killed over accusations of theft at the farm settlement. In retaliation, the indigenes of Akaibiri and Bumoundi reportedly set the farm settlement on fire.
The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed that two individuals are in custody in connection with Abel’s murder and has warned the Akaibiri and Bumoundi communities, as well as the Anam farmers, against taking the law into their own hands.
Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police Alonyenu Idu, represented by Deputy Commissioner Gabriel Elaigwu, spoke during a meeting with the state deputy governor and stakeholders from both communities and the farmers. He confirmed that the two suspects involved in Apah’s murder are in police custody and pledged a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, the state government has urged non-indigenes to respect local authority to maintain peace and order. Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo emphasized this during discussions with members of the Akaibiri and Bumoundi communities and Anam farmers, encouraging restraint among the farmers.
In a statement from his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, Ewhrudjakpo stressed the importance of non-indigenes recognizing the laws and traditional practices of their host communities to promote peaceful coexistence. He noted that moving forward, visitors should be properly introduced to community leaders by their landlords to help identify and apprehend criminals....Read Full Article [Click Here>]
He also advised community leaders to remain in their areas and fulfill their responsibilities to ensure peace and stability in the state.
“I want to appeal that all our communities in Ekpetiama should maintain the peace. CP should also liaise with other security agencies and maintain some security presence in the area until this matter is properly laid to rest,” he said.
“We encourage all our communities to have vigilantes so that this idea of self-help will be minimized. Because if the vigilantes were doing their job, this would not happen. And to the Anam people, you don’t have the right to kill a thief. You only have the right to catch a thief and hand the person over to law enforcement agents.
“If they are stealing your property, don’t resort to self-help; report to the police and your host communities. You need to communicate this to all your people wherever they are in Ijawland.”
HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo (Agada IV), the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Clan, thanked the state government for its swift intervention to prevent a breakdown of law and order. He urged the police to ensure that those responsible for the killing of the deceased and the burning of the Anam farm settlements face justice and called on the Anam farmers to respect the existing culture and leadership hierarchy in their host communities.
