Tension in Bayelsa community as armed youths abduct traditional ruler

 Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

There is tension in Egbemo-Angalabiri Community, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, following the abduction of the acting paramount ruler by some armed youths demanding his resignation.

According to reports the armed youths numbering over a hundred and led by some ex-militants leaders, stormed the meeting venue of the community leadership and ordered the acting paramount ruler Chief Ayakurai Gometi to resign his position before whisking him away to an unknown destination.

Community sources that spoke on condition of anonymity said the armed youths have vowed to forcefully dethrone the traditional ruler if he fails to tender his letter of resignation.

It was gathered that while the CDC chairman was forced to resign, the acting paramount ruler was taken hostage and was kept incommunicado.

The Community Development Committee, CDC, Chairman, Mr. Paul Tebes, while condemning the actions of the youths, described the act as disrespectful and unlawful and called on security agencies to intervene and bring the perpetrators to book to avoid a total breakdown of law and order in the area.

He said: “To the best of our knowledge the chiefs and CDC leadership of the community have committed no offence to warrant such despicable actions of desecration of our traditional leadership

“The conduct of these militants’ youths is abominable, regrettable and capable of causing a breach of the peace in our community we are therefore calling on the security agencies to intervene promptly before the matter escalates to the breakdown of law and order in the community.”

According to sources in the community, security agencies have waded into the crisis and called for dialogue to resolve the lingering power tussle in the community.