A clash between the Opolo and Okutukutu communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of property over a land dispute.
The conflict, which erupted on Monday, saw youths from both communities engaging in communal violence over the ancestral boundaries of their communal land. Additionally, property belonging to non-indigenes of the area was reportedly destroyed by the rampaging youths.
According to some indigenes of Opolo who spoke anonymously to the Nigerian Tribune, the fight between the two communities is unnecessary as they have previously coexisted peacefully for many years.
They attributed the conflict to the development and increased property development in the area due to Yenagoa being the state capital.
The youth president of Okutukutu Community, Kester Wilcox, explained that the violence was initiated by youths from Opolo who attacked Okutukutu Community and began destroying property. In response, property owners, particularly non-indigenes, mobilized to protect their belongings and retaliated.
While the exact casualty figures remain uncertain, Wilcox urged both communities and residents to embrace peace for the accelerated development of the area.
He acknowledged the longstanding boundary issue between the communities but emphasized that it should not escalate into violent attacks on innocent people.
Confirming the crisis, the Police Spokesman in Bayelsa State, ASP Musa Muhammed, stated that the tactical team of the command has been deployed to the affected areas to restore peace and calm. The intervention aims to quell the violence and prevent further escalation of the conflict.
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