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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, has directed the immediate removal of the paramount ruler of Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Chief Okosughe Benson Eseimokumo, following the intractable conflict in the community.
Diri, who wielded the big stick during the April 2026 Praise Night at the King of Glory Chapel in Government House, Yenagoa, also directed the immediate dissolution of the Ogboinbiri Council of Chiefs, community development committee, and the youth body. The governor’s action followed the violent dispute that had gripped the community, which led to the loss of life and arson attacks, prompting the state government to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the community.
Diri equally directed his deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule, to constitute an interim committee to oversee the affairs of Ogboinbiri pending the restoration of peace and security.
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The state’s helmsman charged the Commissioner of Police to ensure that all culprits directly involved in the incident are apprehended and brought to justice. Diri explained that the state government had yet to accord Chief Eseimokumo full recognition as paramount ruler pending the resolution of the protracted conflicts in Ogboinbiri.
“Security is everyone’s business. The state has been peaceful except for the unfortunate recent incident of killing and arson in the Ogboinbiri community.
“I have been very patient with the Ogboinbiri community. Violent disputes have been ongoing for about two to three years now.
“I had set up different committees to resolve the lingering conflict there to no avail. I even directed my deputy to intervene. I invited the traditional ruler and the youths to my office in Yenagoa, yet recently there was killing and burning of houses,” the governor explained.
