From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Following the ethnic tension in Bayelsa over the killing of a tricycle commercial rider and his passenger, Governor Douye Diri has imposed an 11-hour restriction on commercial tricycles within the state capital, Yenagoa, and environs.
Trouble had broken out, yesterday, when a minor disagreement between a commercial tricycle rider from the North and one Douglas, a native of Epie resulted in the former stabbing the latter to death which triggered a mob action on the tricycle riders and other tricycle riders from the North.
No fewer than 30 tricycles were burnt and the riders beaten by youths from Epie in a reprisal on northerners.
The attacks continued in the night and the Bayelsa State Police Command deployed anti-riot policemen to patrol the roads between Nikton and Okaka.
Soldiers were deployed to join the anti-riot policemen following reports that the Epie youths were mobilising for more attacks.
Diri, in a meeting at the Bayelsa State Government House, which had in attendance traditional rulers, security agencies, leadership of the tricycle operators, representatives of the Arewa community in the state as well as youths of the Yenizue-Epie community and other stakeholders, said the restriction became necessary to calm frayed nerves and to restore peace in the area.
The governor, who said the order will last until the situation improved, cautioned against reprisal, stressing that the government will not fold its arms and watch people take the laws into their own hands.
He said there was no conflict between Bayelsa people and the Arewa community in the state and warned those trying to carry out ethnic profiling to desist.
“We must behave as normal human beings. This youthful exuberance of getting angry over every issue must stop. There is no fight between Bayelsa and Hausa people from the beginning of the creation of the state till date.
“Community leaders should educate our youths. Nobody will harass anybody in this state. If that happens, report to security agencies. The peace we enjoy here, we must all jealously guard it.
“I did not call this meeting for ethnic profiling. Rather it was meant to calm frayed nerves and to ensure going forward we all live in peace.
“I hereby impose a restriction on all keke (commercial tricycle) riders from 7pm to 6am. They are, therefore, expected to operate only in the daytime until the situation improves.”
Meanwhile, the leadership has described the incident as tempting and provocative but called for calm and caution as the relevant authorities and Governor Diri have intervened.
National spokesman of the IYC, Ebilade Ekerefe, while reacting to the deployment of anti-riot squad to restore normalcy at Kpansia and its environs, over murder of a community youth by a tricycle rider and the imposition of curfew, called on the residents to remain calm and youths not to take laws into their hands.
He said the IYC as a responsible organisation will not encourage jungle justice no matter the provocation, noting, however, it has come to the point where the people will have no choice than to resort to self help for their security.