Ogboinbiri Community Shutdown Agip Facility.

 

The people of Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have shutdown facilities operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) over an alleged unlawful arrest of their chiefs and youth president by the Nigerian Police Force on the alleged orders of the Deputy Governor of the State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. 

In a protest at the weekend, the  elders, youths and women of the community displaying placards with inscriptions such as "Deputy Governor, Don’t Destroy Ogboinbiri community because of your interest in NAOC barging contract”, “Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, release our Chiefs and Leaders from detention”, “The matter is already in  law court, let the court decide and  Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State should be held responsible for whatever thing that happens in Ogboinbiri Community, the protesting indigenes of the crude oil rich community said that they suspended one Ben Okosughe who was duly elected and was expected to serve six months’ probation period before his coronation.

They alleged that  the ousted Okosughe dragged, Mr. Tari Daniel, Community Development Chairman (CDC) Ogboinbiri Community, Mr. Experience Pere, Youth President of Ogboinbiri Community, Chief Otuku Okorodo, Council of Chief Chairman, Chief Odi Moses, Chief Maclean Ogiori and Mr. Tari Okoso who’s also an indigene of Ogboinbiri Community to court arguing that he was wrongfully deposed.

It was learnt that when the chiefs, the CD Chairman and youth president went to court for hearing yesterday, the deputy governor of the state, allegedly acting on the instruction and connivance of the aggrieved Monarch, stationed policemen outside the courtroom and arrested the chiefs and youth president after the court proceedings over unfounded allegations that are yet-to-be established.

As a result, it was gathered that the community shutdown the facilities which have crippled activities of NAOC in the area, demanding for the immediate release of their chiefs, CDC Chairman and youth president, appealing to the deputy governor not to destroy Ogboinbiri community because of his interest in a NAOC barging contract.

Speaking shortly after the protest, a community member, Owei Jackson said "the state government should go and ask the oil company, they know that we are a peaceful people. Whenever we have disagreement with them, we settle it internally. So, the governor should also know that whatever kingship conflict we have, we can settle it internally.

"The matter is already in court, and they should allow the court to take a decision. We are not interested in whatever interest the deputy governor has in the matter but what we are demanding as a community is that our kinsmen that have been arrested should be released or else, whatever happens, the world should take it."

Also speaking, Mrs. Beauty Okia, former women leader of community, said that "the people of Ogboinbiri Community have tradition of living in harmony. We know how to manage ourselves under any circumstance but today, we are told that the deputy governor has arrested our kinsmen. What did they do that they were locked up, we don't know.

"I am using this opportunity to appeal to the deputy governor of Bayelsa State to, as matter of urgency, release our king, chiefs and youth president because we don't want a situation that will push us into fighting each other. We want to continue to live in peace and harmony, just the way we have been living together as a family."

Reacting to the accusation on phone, Doubra Atassi, deputy Governor’s media person stated the allegation was not true. He said:’Oga has once called these people to his office and asked them to go and live in peace. He handled that matter impartially, the state government is very neutral in this matter. That day, he came down hard on the Amanaowei and the other side and then told them to go back and work together. What else do they want the deputy governor to do? Is it to take sides with them and sack the Paramant ruler?

 “Even this last Monday, Oga invited them for another meeting, this group that is now turning round to accuse the deputy governor refused to come. It was the Amanaowei and his group that only came. He still sent a delegation comprising security personnel and other government officials, they went to Ogbionbiri and the people literarily chased them away. I’m not even aware of any arrest as we speak. Im just hearing that now. He said.

 Also in his reaction, Ben Okosughe stated:  “I don’t have powers to order the police to anybody but I have the right to complain if I have a reason to which I have done including the government house.

 A statement by ASP Musa Mohammed, the Police Public Relations Officer of Bayelsa State read:” Following the disturbing violence and threats to oil and gas production in Southern Ijaw LGA. The Commissioner of Police Bayelsa State Police Command CP, Alonyenu Francis Idu, swiftly deployed police operatives leading to the arrest of six (6) suspects, namely: Mr Tari Daniel ‘m’ , Mr Tari Daniel ‘m’ , ‘Mr’ Experience Pere ‘m’ , Mr Tari Okido Jacob ‘m’, Chief Augustine Okorodo ‘m’, Chief Ogiori Maclean ‘m’ and chief Moses Okoriwei ‘m’. 

“The suspects are undergoing interrogation and detectives are working assiduously to uncover the links to a terrorist cell formation, threats to oil and gas production in southern Ijaw LGA, promoting native warfare, criminal intimidation, economic sabotage, terrorist financing and conduct likely to cause the breach of the peace in Ogbonbiri community and its environs.

“The CP reiterate the command commitment to protection of live and property and members of the public are advised to report any suspicious criminal activities to the nearest Police Station or call control emergency Numbers 07034578208 and  09167322691.