There was pandemonium in Ogbolomabiri community in Nembe Local Government
Area of Bayelsa State following exchange of gunfire between supporters of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) during a
governorship rally organised by the ruling party.
A staff of the Bayelsa State-owned radio broadcasting corporation, Radio
Bayelsa and driver of the outside broadcasting van identified as Simon Onu was
hit by flying bullet and died on the spot while trying to maneuver his vehicle
from the troubled spot.
Five others identified as supporters of the PDP mobilised from Yenagoa, the
capital city were reported killed in the bloody shooting. A policeman was
reportedly shot in the leg, while another mobile police was also shot in the
stomach.
The governorship campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which
was slated to hold in the area was disrupted and party faithfuls chased out of
the area.
Bayelsa State correspondent with other journalists who attended the event
were held hostage in the Nembe forest for several hours until the military came
to their rescue.
Governor Seriake Dickson, who was billed to attend the rally in company of
the candidate of the party, Senator Douye Diri, however, condemned the bloody
attack.
Trouble started when some supporters of one of the political parties
started defacing posters and flags of the rival political party at the King
Koko Square venue of the rally.
Serious shooting by armed men reportedly rocked the King Koko Square venue
of the campaign as party supporters waiting for the dignitaries to arrive took
to their heels.
The attackers, it was also learned opened fire on the protocol bus of the
Bayelsa State Government House along the junction between Bassambiri and
Ogbolomabiri communities.
Some journalists, including James Akam and Mike Taiyese of the Daily Asset
Newspapers, covering the rally were also caught in the cross fire as many
others sustained different degree of injuries.
Confirming the shootings, the incident, spokesperson of the Nembe Chiefs
Council, Chief Nengi James, said there was a clash between rival supporters of
the PDP and APC in Nembe resulting in injuries.
Also, a prominent indigene of the area and former senator representing
Bayelsa East senatorial district, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amangi, has condemned in
its entirety the act of provocation and violence released on the community by
supporters of the People Democratic Party (PDP).
In his statement Chief Senator Nimi Barigha-Amangi noted that the approved
venue for the PDP rally was King Koko Square and instead of going about their
normal business of the day, went about chanting war songs around the community
terrorising and molesting passers by.
Chief Barigha-Amange said that this was uncalled for, because other patties
did use the same venue for their rallies which was very peaceful and rancour
free.
He, however, warned that no individual should hide under any political
platform to breach the already existing peace and harmonious relationship
amongst the people in Nembe.
He called on the various security agencies in the area to redouble their
efforts in stopping troublemakers from further terrorising the peace-loving
people of Nembe in name of politics as no group would be allowed to over run
the Nembe community.