The Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has warned persons cashing in on the murder of a teenager, Faith Pius, to harass Igbo traders in Biogbolo community in the state to stop forthwith or face the wrath of the government.
He called on the people of the Biogbolo community in Yenagoa to sheathe their swords and maintain a cordial relationship with their Igbo tenants.
The May 7 alleged murder of the 18-year-old in a hotel in Yenagoa by a 26-year-old Igbo man had sparked violent protest in Biogbolo and adjoining streets of Ebis and Green Villa.
The aggrieved protesters, who were Biogbolo’s indigenes, reportedly displayed weapons of different kinds, chased suspected non-indigenes, particularly the Igbo, and vowed to avenge the killing of Faith.
Dickson, who sued for peace during the visit of representatives of Biogbolo and Igbo communities, said the state government would arrest and prosecute the suspect over the killing of the teenager.
The governor said although the unfortunate incident occurred when he was on a working visit to the United States of America, directives were immediately given to the police and other security agencies to apprehend the suspect and all who might have played any role in the act.
Dickson said, “Let me warn those who are cashing in on the situation to disrupt peace and socio-economic activities, such as harassing Igbo traders in the community, to stop or face the wrath of the government.
“I urge the people of Biogbolo community to allow Igbo traders reopen their shops for business on Monday (today), as the alleged crime was committed by an individual and not all the Igbo. The Igbo people have been peaceful and law abiding in the state.”
While commending the leadership of the community for their show of understanding and maturity, the governor stressed the need for them to sensitise their people to the dangers of taking the law into their hands.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Asuquo Amba, described the deliberation as fruitful, saying efforts were on to ensure the arrest of the suspect.
Also, the Caretaker Chairman of the Yenagoa Local Government Area, Mr. Oboku Oforji, expressed gratitude to the governor for the measures put in place to achieve a lasting peace among the people of Biogolo, the Igbo, and other residents in the area.
He described the Dickson’s directive on the reopening of shops owned by the Igbo as timely, well thought-out and in the best interest of the Biogbolo and Igbo communities.
In their separate remarks, the President of Ohanaeze, Bayelsa State chapter, Chief Amaka Maurice, and his Unified Traders Association counterpart, Chief Ukachukwu Ohaeri, also thanked the governor for his efforts at tackling the problem and pledged to cooperate with security agencies.
