Four killed as gunmen attack Bayelsa Community

No fewer than four persons have been killed as gunmen suspected to be cultists invaded Swali community in the heart of Yenagoa, the state capital.

A community source told Newsmen on Tuesday that the gunmen invaded the community from the nearby river on Easter Sunday and attacked innocent residents who had just celebrated Easter in their various churches.

He said many people also sustained injuries from the attack, while several residents had relocated from the community for fear of another attack.

Swali community hosts the biggest market in Bayelsa State, and the waterfront where residents travel to other parts of the state. It is also close to government house.

Also most of the federal agencies, such as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoriong Board (NCDMB), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal Secretariat among others have their offices located in a part of the community, which Bayelsa State government has designated as free trade zone.

Though two cult groups, the Greenlanders and Bobos have been fighting for supremacy in the community, it was not certain if the attack was as a result of the cult clash.

Meanwhile, the member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Chief Ayibanegiyefa Egba, has condemned the brutal attack on the Swali Community.

Hon. Egba, who visited the community on Tuesday, described the attack as “barbaric” and expressed her deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire Swali community.

She emphasized the need for unity and vigilance within the community to resist external forces and advised the youths to shun vices that could truncate their lives.

Speaking during the visit, the Paramount Ruler of Swali Community, HRH Wilcox Seiyefa Job, called on the state government to mount police posts at strategic locations to avert future attacks.

The traditional ruler pleaded with the government to ensure safety and security of his subjects from future attacks.

The police spokesman in Bayelsa State, DSP Musa Mohammed, who confirmed the attack, said security had been beefed up to restore normalcy to the community.

He said the attack might not be related to cult clashes, but measures were in place to forestall no further breakdown of law.