Some aggrieved women in Opu-Nembe community in the Nembe Local council area of Bayelsa State on Monday staged a protest against the continued siege of their community by policemen and armed thugs.
The women also accused the immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva of being behind the invasion.
The protesting women, dressed in black, condemned the invasion, insisting that the community had not known peace since February 15, 2023 when three of their youths were allegedly killed by one of Sylva’s allies, Kojo Sam.
Some of the women claimed that the policemen, who were later identified as Federal SWAT team, invaded the community alongside some armed thugs allegedly working with Kojo but in police uniform.
Sources in the community also alleged that the Kojo gang had been staying at a hotel owned by one Darius Obiene, from where they reportedly launched attacks on the community.
They also alleged that the plot is to take control of the community in order to rig the November 11 governorship election in the state.
Sylva, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the poll, is believed to be fighting back because of the apparent rejection of his ambition by his people for allegedly neglecting the community over the years.
In a trending video, many Opu-Nembe women are seen clad in black clothes, crying, with their spokesperson saying that they belong to the APC but that they no longer support Sylva, for reportedly unleashing terror on the community.
“This community worked hand-in-hand with Sylva for him to become whatever he is today. But he turned his back against us.
“He has invaded the community as I speak with unknown gunmen wearing security attire and forcing themselves into the community, raping our girls, shooting and arresting our boys.
“Yesterday, they shot the only son of a widow and destroyed property they know nothing about. This community has not known peace since February 15 this year when gunmen killed three youths here,” one of the women stated.
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