Nembe-Bassambiri Chiefs, Youth Body Remain Suspended–Gov. Diri

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said the state government’s indefinite suspension of chiefs and the youth body in Bassambiri community in Nembe local government area of the state remains in force.

Diri also restated his call on warring factions in the community to embrace peace.

He assured that his administration would do everything possible to bring lasting peace to the community.

The governor spoke when the judicial panel of inquiry set up to look into the communal crisis presented its report to him in Government House, Yenagoa at the weekend.

On February 15 last year, a crisis erupted in Nembe-Bassambiri, claiming three lives.

The panel was instituted on August 15, 2023 to look into the crisis and proffer solutions.

The governor noted that the crisis in the community was three-pronged but was more political than economic or traditional.

He stressed that no society can develop in an atmosphere of continuous violence and brigandage.

He set up a committee to review the report of the panel within two weeks and advise him on its implementation.

The review committee is headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei with the acting chief of staff, Dr Peter Akpe; Head of Service, Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama and special adviser to the governor on legal matters, Alabo Ozubide as members.

“For any one life lost, it is important to us as a people. We assure you that we will look at your recommendations and implementation will be done to the letter.

“Let me use this opportunity to call on my brothers in Nembe-Bassambiri that it is time for everybody to toe the path of peace. Peace is priceless. We cannot continuously be in a fraticidal war, fighting among ourselves,” the governor said.

He also urged the Inspector General of Police to re-deploy the special forces from the community in order to restore peace.

“We are told that the force was there to bring peace and normalcy to Nembe. But Nembe was far from war before the special forces arrived. I believe that there are other states in the country that need the services of the special force more than Nembe-Bassambiri today,” he said.