BAYELSA: Gunmen invade Ijaw communities, set houses ablaze

GUNMEN in the early morning of Sunday invaded the riverside town of Peremabiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State destroying properties worth millions of naira.

Though the motive for the attack were still sketchy as of press time, there are reports that the attack was executed by a rival militant group in a battle for supremacy.

The heavily armed invaders were said to have stormed the community in about five speedboats and embarked on shooting spree causing residents to scamper for safety.

The residence of one Marcus Richard was reportedly set ablaze.

This happened barely a week after yet to be identified gunmen, in the early hours of Christmas day, attacked the residence of a former militant leader, Eris Paul, alias Ogunboss, in Peremabiri and set ablaze his palatial mansion.

”As I speak with you many people are still hiding in the bush and houses have been burnt down,”a resident was quoted to have said.

Reacting to the incident, Spokesman of the Bayelsa Police Command, Butswat Ansimi said, “preliminary investigations revealed that on 3rd January 2021 at about 0700 hours unknown gunmen invaded Peremabiri, a riverine community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

“The motive for the attack is unknown at the moment, however the residence of one Marcus Richard was set ablaze.

“The Command has despatched reinforcement of Police Marine and detectives from State Criminal Investigation Department to beef up security in the area. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.

“Efforts are on by the State government to invite notable leaders from the community for a peace meeting.”