Bayelsa Protesters Clash With Community Youths In Yenagoa

The Biogbolo community in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa State was embroiled in crisis yesterday as a group of community youths, in opposition to the hunger protest, attacked the protesters marching on the Mbiama/Yenagoa road with two police vans attached to them.

Sources confirmed that most of the communities in the state capital were mobilised to resist any form of protest in their respective domains.

The fracas took a new dimension as a large number of protesters came out and began to march from Opolo axis of the Mbiama/Yenagoa road towards Ebi Mechanic junction when they were stopped by a team of police officers monitoring the situation to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order.

The protesters, however, insisted that the protest would continue while expressing their grievances about the economic situation of the country, hence it is their right to protest.

The heated argument degenerated to a serious crisis when the youths from the community unexpectedly attacked the protesters from behind with bottles, big planks and other weapons. Gunshots were also heard as all the protesters ran in different directions for their safety.

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Our correspondent had earlier observed a near zero protest in the Yenagoa metropolis as at 8am. Security agencies were seen stationed at major junctions and roundabout with socio-economic activities completely shut down.

People were seen going about their normal business and there was no restriction of vehicular and tricycle movement. Banks, shops and fastfood joints were also closed while the Swali and Tombia markets were partially operating.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Musa Mohammed, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Alonyenu Francis Idu, acknowledges the nationwide protest and respects the right of citizens to assemble and express their views peacefully, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He tasked Area Commanders, DPOs, Tactical Units, and the drone unit with providing robust security coverage during and after the protest.

The CP urged all organisers and protesters to conduct the protest responsibly and peacefully, and not to engage in acts of violence, looting, or any other criminal activities.