Agbedi Deplores Insecurity In Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) Community

 

The Leader of Bayelsa State Caucus in the House of Representatives and member representing Sagbama-Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Dr Fred Agbedi has condemned in strong terms the recent sporadic shootings at Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) community in Nembe Local Government Area of the state.

The incident is another unsettling episode of the lingering armed violence in Opu-Nembe Kingdom that has created panic, fear and anxiety among the peace-loving people of community.

This atmosphere of tension and disruption of the peace and serenity of Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) occurred again when the people are still struggling to overcome the security and psychological scare inflicted on them by the lethal attack on the community on the 15th of February this year.

The security situation in the community is horrendous, tragic and distressing in all ramifications because it has led to avoidable loss of lives and destruction of property with many innocent residents of the area displaced, and battling to survive economic hardship.

I am particularly concerned that the people of Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) continue to live and go about their daily activities in perpetual fear that violent attack and invasion of their community could occur at any time of the day. This is inhuman, reprehensible and totally unacceptable.

 I urge those who habitually fan the embers of acrimony, disunity, destabilization and intra-communal conflict to desist from such unwholesome enterprise because nobody's political, business and other interests are worth the peace and blood of Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) people.

My sympathy goes to all families and those who have suffered loss as a result of the unnecessary violence. Let me emphasize that Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) deserves peace and harmony in order for the people to organise themselves for development of the community, and tackle existential challenges affecting them in unity, love and solidarity. 

 

Therefore, I implore the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Bayelsa State Command and heads of other security agencies in the state to, without bias, arrest and prosecute all the perpetrators of violence and insecurity in Opu-Nembe Kingdom in the interest of peace and stability of the community as well as the safety and security of law-abiding and innocent constituents.

I equally enjoin all eminent leaders, royal fathers and stakeholders of Opu-Nembe Kingdom to support the efforts of Bayelea State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri and his administration to bring about lasting peace in the area.

 I also vehemently condemn the attack on some journalists who went to Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) to carry out their constitutional mandate as the watchdog of society, in the wake of the breach of the peace in the area. I sympathize with them and their media organisations for the unfair treatment.

The onslaught on the affected members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm was unwarranted, unfathomable and amounts to a violation of their fundamental human rights.

 I urge the attackers of the armless journalists to restrain themselves from such violent conduct in the future as any assault on media professionals is an assault on the conscience of society.

Signed: HON. FRED .Y. AGBEDI, PhD

Leader, Bayelsa Caucus,

Federal House of Representatives.