Twenty-eight chiefs of Opu-Nembe (Nembe Bassambiri) community in Nigeria, who were recently expelled by local youths led by President Moses Ayerite, have appealed for assistance. They expressed concern over the continuous “organized humiliation, assault, intimidation” they have endured. The chiefs, speaking at a press conference in Yenagoa under the banner of Concerned Citizens of Opu-Nembe, lamented the disruption of peace in their community by the youths.
The aggrieved chiefs highlighted that despite the invasion of the community in February, the underlying issues have not been addressed. Instead, the youths have resorted to destructive acts, culminating in their expulsion from the community. The chiefs found it perplexing that their attendance at the birthday celebration of Chief Timipre Marlin Sylva, a prominent figure and former Minister of State for Petroleum, was the catalyst for their expulsion.
The chiefs questioned how participating in a birthday celebration could be deemed a crime, both in Opu-Nembe and anywhere else in the world. They emphasized that their right to citizenship and indigeneship should not be revoked for such an act, as it does not violate any constitutional provisions.
Seeking intervention to prevent further deterioration of law and order, the chiefs implored relevant security agencies, including the police, military, and Department of State Services (DSS), to step in. They called for a substantial presence of security personnel to deter further violence, gang activities, rape, and cultism in the community.
In response, a member of President Ayerite’s executive council, Vice-Chairman Nimbofa Collins, attributed the chiefs’ expulsion to their perceived insensitivity towards those who lost loved ones during the community invasion in February.