11 others killed in Bayelsa clash

A bloody clash in Agbere community, Sagbama Local Government Area of
Bayelsa State on Tuesday claimed the lives of 12people,including a
policeman.
The clash was trigger by the chieftaincy tussle in the community,
which has split the youths of the community into factions.
The community has been tensed since the administration of former
Governor Timipre Sylva sacked Chief Aziza Ekide for alleged breach of
the chieftaincy laws and replaced him with Chief Victor Alali as
acting paramount ruler.
According to reports, 11 youths were killed during a clash involving
youths of the community over who becomes the paramount ruler of the
community, while the policeman was said to have been killed when some
youths invaded and sacked the police station in the community.
Eyewitness account said guns andother dangerous weapons were freely
used as the youths clashed, forcing many people in the community to
flee.
Investigations revealed that the tension in the community reacheda
boiling point when some youthsgot wind of the report of a commission
of inquiry set up by the Sagbama Local Government Area over the
chieftaincy tussle.
Checks indicated that the report recommended that the acting
traditional ruler be made the permanent ruler.
This reportedly infuriated some ofthe the youths.
The house of Alali and those of his perceived followers have
beenreportedly set ablaze by angry youths in the community.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kings Omiri, has visited the
community to assess the level of damage.
Also, the state government has deployed armed policemen and soldiers
to the community.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Daniel
Iworiso-Markson, said the situation has been brought undercontrol.
Source:SUNEWS