Youths in Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) community in the Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have driven 28 chiefs and prominent individuals into exile.

At a press conference in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state, attended by some of those sent into exile and presided over some traditional chiefs under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Opu-Nembe, expressed worry and apprehension over the alleged humiliation, assault, intimidation, destruction of property, and driving of people into exile in the community.

The spokesman for the group, Monday Degi, blamed the Ayerite Ebinimi Moses-led leadership of a youth group for it.

According to the statement, the relative peace and tranquillity that had been enjoyed by the community were disrupted when Ayerite Ebinimi Moses and his cohorts assumed leadership positions in May 2020.

He said: “The Mr. Ayerite Ebinimi Moses-led youths of Opu-Nembe are on the rampage, destroying and looting houses and personal properties of perceived and apparent ‘enemies’. Since the inception of the Ayerite Ebinimi Moses youth leadership, the community is witnessing sporadic violence and endless social unrest, which has become phenomenal.

“Over twenty (20) houses and properties worth hundreds of millions have been vandalised in the community without provocation.”

He further accused the chiefs’ council of not taking any action against the lawlessness being perpetrated by the youth body on hapless people of the community.

“The Executive of the chiefs’ council had failed to intervene in these issues until ‘alleged’ invasions occurred in July 2021 and February 2023,” he said.

The most recent incident involved the driving into exile of 28 chiefs from Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) who had attended the birthday party of Mr Timipre Sylva, the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.

Sylva was a minister in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who doubled as the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources.

He continued, “We cannot decipher the rationale that prompted such a prerogative and bizarre act.

“The question is: when did such an act of celebrating with a son and brother on his birthday become a crime in Opu-Nembe and/or anywhere in the world? And the consequence of such is the loss of the right of citizenship or indigeneship of Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) Community.

“This is a flagrant violation of the constitutional provisions bordering on Freedom of Association and of Speech. We the affected traditional chiefs and prominent people of the community do not comprehend what section of the Nigerian Constitution vis-à-vis the constitution of the Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs was violated by us, regarding attending someone’s birthday party.

“We, therefore, would want to ask: on what premise and temerity the youth president and his cohorts are exercising the power to ostracize or exile us and our houses immediately invaded, vandalized and property looted away?

“We are calling on relevant law enforcement agencies, such as the police, military (JTF), DSS, etc. to come to our aid and enthrone peace in the community. There should be a permanent occupation of military personnel in good numbers to forestall the further unleashing of mayhem, gangsterism, rape and cultism by Mr. Ayerite Ebinimi Moses-led youth body on the innocent and law-abiding citizens of Opu-Nembe.”

According to the group, “A stitch in time saves nine”.

Meanwhile, when contacted by SaharaReporters, the Vice President of the youth group, Nimibofa Collins confirmed the expulsion of chiefs and elders.

He said the decision was taken because the people were unconcerned about the plights of those who had lost their lives during an invasion of the community by gunmen.

He said the former minister promised to bring the culprit to justice but failed to do so.