Bayelsa imposes curfew on community after fatal clash

The Bayelsa State Government has declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area following a communal crisis that led to the death of a resident and heightened tensions in the area.

The Commissioner for the Ministry of Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ebiuwou Obiyai, announced this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the curfew, which commenced on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, will run from 6 pm to 6 am daily until further notice.

“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,” the statement read.

“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.”

The curfew followed an escalation of violence in the community after a clash reportedly resulted in the death of a resident, forcing many others to flee their homes.

The crisis was said to have begun when the former youth president of the community, Mr Experience Pere, whose tenure had expired but who was still acting in the role, was allegedly found in possession of metal electric poles suspected to have been stolen.

Concerned residents, led by a man identified as Maxwell, reportedly reported the incident to officers of the anti-piracy unit.

Angered by the report, Pere and his supporters allegedly launched a retaliatory attack targeting individuals believed to be connected to Maxwell. In the process, properties, including buildings belonging to the Paramount Ruler, His Royal Highness Okosughe Eseimokumo, were damaged.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Council, Mr Ayibaitari Easterday, the irate youths also attacked individuals suspected to be family members and supporters of the monarch.

The statement added that reprisal attacks followed, during which one Ifolo (surname unknown at the time of filing the report) sustained a head injury and was rushed to Ogboinbiri Cottage Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

It further stated that dozens of residents fled the community over fear of further violence, while three suspects had been arrested in connection with the unrest.

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

It also noted that the Southern Ijaw Local Government Council Chairman, Target Segibo, had previously led several peace interventions in the community without success, while state-level committees had also been constituted by the Bayelsa State Government to address the crisis.

The council condemned the violence and called on security agencies to apprehend those responsible.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Edebor, confirmed the deployment of tactical teams and other security assets to the community.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, the command said normalcy had been restored, and patrols were ongoing to prevent further escalation.

“The Bayelsa State Police Command is aware of the recent security concern reported in Ogboibiri Community in Southern Ijaw LGA and wishes to assure residents that the situation is receiving prompt and strategic attention,” the statement read.

“The Command has deployed adequate personnel, including tactical teams, to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order. In collaboration with other security agencies, normalcy has been restored, and continuous patrols are ongoing.”

The Commissioner of Police urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and to avoid spreading unverified information capable of heightening tensions.

The command also advised the public to report suspicious activities through emergency contact lines provided by the police.