Umuahia Shut Down As Kanu’s Parents Are Interred Amid Heavy Security [SUN]
■ Why we deployed drones at the venue – IPOB
Despite assurances given by elders of Afaraukwu community that the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu parents’ burial will be peaceful, commercial banks in the Abia State capital did not open for business yesterday.
Equally, shops and schools around Afaraukwu did not open just like the banks in Umuahia ostensibly out of the fear of the unknown. The overwhelming crowd at the burial locked down Afaraukwu. Also, the much-publicised homecoming of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu for the burial of his parents, Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and Ugoeze Sally Kanu, failed to materialize, after all.
The IPOB leader expectedly did not come home, but his immediate younger brother, Kanunta Kingsley Kanu, represented him at the burial that was well attended by thousands of mourners believed to be IPOB members.
Speaking during the homily at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Isiama Afaraukwu, the Anglican Bishop of Umuahia, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Ibeabuchi, said the living, particularly the children of the deceased should not allow their hearts to be troubled since they believe in God. He said man brought nothing into this world and certainly will take nothing away, stressing that the Lord gave and has taken away. He prayed God to grant the relations of the deceased who he said have cast their grief on Him, consolation.
He prayed to God: “In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn; give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence, we may continue our course on earth.”
Spokesman of the Kanu family, Kanunta said, his parents were honest, kind and not purchasable, which he said everyone who came in contact with them could attest to. He said they were godly, adding that they never ceased to preach the word of God to them.
Chaos In Bayelsa Over Supreme Court Ruling [SUN]
- Judiciary complex, Diri, Dickson’s homes, PDP office, others attacked
There were protests in Yenagoa and some parts of Bayelsa state yesterday over the Supreme Court ruling which nullified the election of APC’s Chief David Lyon and Senator Degi Biobarakuma Eremienyo as governor and deputy governor respectively. Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has however appealed to the APC to accept the Supreme Court ruling in good faith and see it as a triumph of democracy. The protesting APC members chanting ‘No Lyon, No Governor’ barricaded the major Tombia roundabout with bonfire Thursday night and continued Friday morning when they took the protests to Melford Okilo road and Imgbi road where they set bonfire along the road forcing many businesses to shut down.
Some of the protesters invaded the Bayelsa State Judiciary Complex where they vandalised vehicles and offices. One of workers who identified himself as Josiah said he was lucky to escape with injuries. He narrated that the protesters stormed the complex and started beating everybody. “We were in the office when suddenly we heard noise and before we realised what was happening, protesters waving APC flag descended on staffs, vandalised offices and the two vehicles parked in the complex. We had no option but to escape. I had to jump the fence to escape” Shortly after news filtered that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Douye Diri winner and issued him a certificate of return, the protests turned wild as protesters marched from Government House through Melford Okilo road destroying property. Soldiers and armed policemen have been deployed to major streets to forestall a total breakdown of law and order. Also sources said the house of the new governor, Senator Douye Diri along Imgbi road was attacked by protesters. They were said to have invaded the house following the news that he had been presented with the certificate of return.
In the same vein, the protesters attacked the home of member representing Yenagoa Federal Constituency, Hon Steve Azaiki at Imgbi road. Also attacked was the Steve Azaiki Library and the state government owned Radio Bayelsa where they vandalized 15 vehicles and carted away some electronic equipment. The palatial home of Governor Dickson in Opolo area of Yenagoa was also not spared as they vandalised vehicles and any valuable in sight. The PDP secretariat in the capital city was equally set ablaze, among others.
Diri Sworn-In As Bayelsa Gov, Sues For Peace [SUN]
At exactly 6.50 pm yesterday, Senator Douye Diri took the oath of office and allegiance as the fifth executive governor of Bayelsa State. He was flanked by his wife and children. Earlier, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor flanked by his wife and children took his oath of office and allegiance at exactly 6.35 pm.
Shortly after being sworn in by the Chief Judge of the State, Kate Abiri, Senator Diri in a brief speech called for a minute silence for all PDP members that were killed during the governorship campaign in Nembe. The new governor who said there was no victor, no vanquished in the governorship contest in the state called for an end to bitterness and acrimony along party lines.
“My dear good people of Bayelsa State, this is a state that we all wanted to create. As a serving member of the Ijaw National Congress, we traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria wanting to create a state to develop our region and our area. Today we have a state. Governors have come, governors have gone. We, today of PDP, have been sworn-in. My advice to all of us of this great party is that we have to be magnanimous in victory. The bitterness and acrimony should end. If we kill ourselves who are going to lead? Today, 14th of February, is a day of love. As a Valentine governor and deputy governor, we bring the message of love to Bayelsa State. We bring the message of hope; we bring the message of prosperity. Let us eschew bitterness and acrimony and learn to love ourselves”, he pleaded.
The swearing-in, which was marked by pomp, was broadcast live. Among those who witnessed the event was the Chief Judge of the state, the immediate past governor of the state, Sierake Dickson, who walked up to the podium to hug Diri as soon as he was sworn in.
Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest, 4 Children In Edo [SUN]
Gunmen in Benin City, yesterday abducted Rev. Father Nicholas Oboh, a Catholic priest serving at the Uromi Diocese in Edo state.
Chancellor of the Uromi Diocese, Rev Father Osi Odenore, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, said Father Oboh was abducted on Valentine’s day but was not specific on the area where the abduction took place. He called for prayers for the release of Father Oboh.
“We are sure he is alive, and since the incident, steps have been taken to ensure that Rev Father Nicholas Oboh is released without harm”, he said.
In a related development, some children were said to have been abducted at Umelu community in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of the state by suspected armed robbers.
It was learnt that the robbers had robbed residents in the area and took four children along with them. According to sources in the area, one of the abducted children has been released after the parents paid the sum of N2 million.
It was further gathered that other parents have opened negotiations with the abductors, but spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said he has not been briefed on the incidents.
Ekiti Assembly Passes Amotekun Bill Into Law [THE NATION]
The Ekiti State House of Assembly on Friday passed the bill for the establishment of the State Security Network Agency, otherwise called Amotekun Corps.
This decision followed the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Security and Special Duties at the plenary.
The bill will now be transmitted to Governor Kayode Fayemi for his assent.
The Oyo State House of Assembly plans to table its own version of the bill before the public for their input before taking a final decision.
The Ekiti bill provides for collaboration between the corps and the Police as well as other security agencies for the purpose of maintaining law and order in the state.
The bill had, on Thursday, scaled through the first and second readings during an extensive deliberation on the floor of the House, after the draft bill was transmitted by Governor Fayemi to the House.
It was subsequently committed to the Committee of the House on Security and Special Duties headed by lawmaker representing Ekiti East Constituency II, Hon. Lateef Akanle, who conducted a public hearing which was attended by traditional rulers, farmers, driver unions and other stakeholders on Thursday evening.
Presenting the report on the floor of the House yesterday, Akanle said certain sections of the bill were considerably amended to suit the peculiarities and uniqueness of the people of the state.
The governing board of the corps will be headed by a retired law enforcement agent who should be a man of proven integrity or equivalent in the Nigerian Army not below the rank of Major General.
This section generated extensive debate with the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Hakeem Jamiu, and Hon Adeoye Aribasoye asking that a retired military officer with a lower rank should head the board of the corps.
Jamiu said: “Retired Major Generals are not easy to come by and when you see them, they might be old or tired. So, let us bring down the scale to either Brigadier General, Colonel or equivalent.
Oluwo Beats Up Fellow Monarch [THE NATION]
Victim’s eyes, cheeks bloodied
I defended myself; he called me a mad man – Oba Akanbi
Other Osun Obas call for Oluwo’s suspension
Some monarchs in the Osun West Senatorial district have called for the suspension of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, shortly after he beat up another traditional ruler, the Agbowu of Ogbagba, Oba Dhikrulahi Akinropo, during a peace meeting for monarchs in Iwo, Ayedire and Ola-Oluwa Local Government Areas of the state.
The Oluwo, on Friday, dealt a blow on the Agbowu, whose domain falls under Ola-Oluwa council area, claiming he interrupted him during his speech by calling him a mad man.
The peace meeting, which was convened at the instance of the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Zone 11 was meant to broker peace among the monarchs in the three council areas that had been enmeshed in land tussle for more than three months.
While the Oluwo advocated for leasehold of land, instead of outright sales for developmental projects in the area, the other monarchs insisted that their land belongs to them and they reserve the right to sell them or not.
The state government intervened at a stage but the latest intervention by the police through the office of the AIG Zone 11 suffered a twist when the Oluwo pounced on the Agbowu.
The incident was witnessed by the state’s Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, his counterpart, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, the AIG for Zone 11, and about seven monarchs, including the Onigege of Igege, the Olu of Ile-Ogbo.
Narrating the incident to journalists at the State Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo, where he was accompanied by six monarchs to receive medical treatment, the Agbowu said the Oluwo punched him for telling him that he did not sell any land in his domain but his own land.
The monarch was rushed to Asubiaro Hospital after the incident by other monarchs at the meeting. The monarchs at the hospital were the Onigege of Igege, Oba Kazeem Oyediran, Olu of Ileogbo, Oba Habeeb Adetoyese, Onifin of Ikonifin, Oba Solomon Ojo, Oluwo Oke of Iwo Oke, Oba Kadiri Adeoye and Onisara of Eesu, Oba Moshood Oparonla.
The Olu of Ileogbo, Oba Habeeb Adetoyese, who spoke on behalf of the monarchs, said, that they received an invite to a peacemaking meeting over an allegation that Oba Akanbi levelled against them.
He alleged that the Oluwo pounced on Oba Akinropo while he was making his speech at the peace meeting.
Bayelsa Boils As Diri Takes Over [THE NATION]
Police impose three-day dawn-to-dusk curfew •APC, PDP supporters clash
Protesters attack Dickson’s, Diri’s houses, destroy vehicles
Bayelsa State capital erupted in violence yesterday moment after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed Senator Duoye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor-elect of the state.
Youths believed to be supporters of the sacked David Lyon stormed the streets protesting Thursday’s annulment of his election by the Supreme Court.
Lyon yesterday rejected the court’s decision.
The protesters attacked the Bayelsa State government owned radio station and the private residences of both Diri and Dickson at Opolo.
Vandalized were furniture and fittings. Windscreens of vehicles in the two houses were smashed.
People in the compounds fled to safety.
Other protesters set bonfires on the Kiama Bridge end of the East-West Road , leaving hundreds of travellers stranded.
Security agents however brought the situation under control and paved the way for the swearing in of Diri as the fifth civilian governor of the state.
Also sworn in last night was his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor.
Moments after the ceremony, the police imposed a three day curfew on the state to check further violence.
Police Impose Curfew On Bayelsa, Gov Inaugurated Amid Tension [PUNCH]
The Bayelsa State Police Command on Friday imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the state following an outbreak of protests and violence in different parts of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Uche Anozia, announced the curfew at a press conference in Yenagoa, the state capital, shortly before the swearing-in of Senator Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party as the governor of the state and Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as his deputy, by the state Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, at the Government House.
There had been severe tension in the state since the Supreme Court on Thursday annulled the victory of the APC candidate in the November 16, 2019 governorship election, Mr David Lyon, and his running mate, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo.
While Lyon was already rehearsing for the inauguration scheduled for Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that the APC ought not to have participated in the election because Degi-Eremienyo, his running mate in the election, forged his certificates.
A five-man panel of the apex court, headed by Justice Mary Peter-Odili, ordered that INEC should withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Lyon and his running mate and declare as winner of the election the candidate with the highest number of lawful votes cast with the requisite constitutional spread.
Sequel to the court order in the lead judgement delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko, the commission on Friday declared Diri as the winner of the election.
INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, while addressing a news conference at its headquarters, said by virtue of the Supreme Court judgement, the total number of votes cast in the election was 146,999, out of which the candidate of the PDP scored 143,172 with geographical spread.
But as early as Thursday evening, shortly after the ruling of the apex court, there were protests against the judgment in some parts of the state, including Yenogoa, and it continued until Friday morning.
The protesters, who were believed to be supporters of the APC, took to the streets setting bonfires on major roads in the state.
The angry APC supporters, comprising women and youths, blocked different areas of the Mbiama-Yenagoa Road, burning tyres and traffic control stands in sight.
They said the verdict of the apex court was unacceptable, insisting that it was either Lyon or no other person. The National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, had also posited that no one would be sworn in on Friday, arguing that no other candidate had the constitutional spread to be governor.
One of our correspondents who monitored the incident observed some tyres in flames while some were waiting to be set on fire. These occurred amidst expectations that INEC would issue a certificate of return to Diri as a prelude to his inauguration.
It was also gathered that the demonstrations started on Thursday night in different parts of Yenagoa as youths with APC flags blocked major roads and made bonfires.
IG Gives South-West Govs Conditions For Amotekun Corps To Bear Arms [PUNCH]
Following the plan by South-West governors to apply to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, for the personnel of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Operation Amotekun, to carry arms, the police authorities have given conditions for them to be issued the licence.
The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, said the request would be assessed within the confines of the law.
He noted that there cannot be gun licence issuance to any security outfit or state apparatus without conforming with the contents and provisions of the Firearms Act.
The Ondo State Attorney General, Kola Olawoye, had told The PUNCH on Sunday that each state would apply to the IGP for a gun licence for Amotekun corps.
But in his response to an enquiry by one of our correspondents on the request for gun licence for the corps on Friday, the Force PRO said any request not compatible with the law would be turned down.
Mba stressed that the police did not have the discretion of issuing gun licence because the licensing is governed by law and it works with the provisions of the Firearms Act.
He said, “There is a law in this country; the Firearms Act, which regulates gun usage, ownership and licensing. It is a federal legislation and every request must be in line with the provision and contents of that act. It is not at the discretion of the Inspector-General of Police; it is the provision of the law. So it is simple.
“So, whatever you want in this regard, if it is not compatible with that law, that request would be turned down. The request will be assessed within the confines of that law.
“I have not seen their (states) request, and speaking generally, not about Amotekun now, but all I know is that every request for licence, irrespective of where it is coming from, will be assessed strictly on its merit.
“By merit, I mean it will be assessed strictly in line with the provisions of the Firearms Act. No license will be issued or any request ascertained outside the context and provisions of the law. We are a country guided by law and we will work with the provisions of the Firearms Act.”
Notably, licensing is under Part II of the Firearms Act, Chapter 146, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1990. Of the seven sections under it, Sections 3 and 4, read, “No person shall have in his possession or under his control any firearm of one of the categories specified in Part I of the Schedule hereto (hereinafter referred to as a prohibited firearm) except in accordance with a licence granted by the President acting in his discretion.
“No person shall have in his possession or under his firearms control any firearm of one of the categories specified in Part II of the Schedule to this Act (hereinafter referred to as a personal firearm) except in accordance with a licence granted in respect thereof by the Inspector-General of Police, which licences shall be granted or refused in accordance with principles decided upon by the National Council of Ministers.”
Monarchs Demand Oluwo’s Suspension For Allegedly Attacking Colleague [PUNCH]
Some royal fathers from Osun West Senatorial District on Friday demanded the suspension of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi.
They accused Oba Akanbi of attacking another monarch, Oba Dhikrullahi Olaniran, the Agbowu of Ogbagbaa at a meeting.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues at the Trauma Centre of Osun State General Hospital, Asubiaro, the Olu of Ileogbo, Oba Habeeb Adetoyese, said Oba Akanbi attacked the said monarch at a meeting held at Zone XI Command of Nigeria Police Force, Osogbo.
Oba Adetoyese, who was flanked by Onigege of Igege, Oba Kazeem Oyediran, and Onifin of Ikonifin, Oba Solomon Ojo, told newsmen they were invited to a meeting in the AIG’s office following a petition against them by the Oluwo of Iwo, who had accused them of selling land in his domain.
He said, “In October last year, the Oluwo wrote a petition against us to the Assistant Inspector General of Police that royal fathers were threatening his life and selling his land.
“Then AIG Oyebade warned that he would not condone any form of trouble from our area. He directed that we should have a meeting and resolve the issue. We also saw the governor and he gave same instruction. A peace meeting was fixed for Iwo Local Government Area secretariat. That day, he (Oluwo) disrupted the meeting. He came with thugs.
“When government observed that the first meeting did not yield good result, another meeting was fixed for 9am today (Friday). Letters were sent, inviting us to the meeting.
At the meeting today, we were asked to introduce ourselves and we all did. When Oluwo was asked to talk, he accused me of selling his land. He raised same allegation against Agbowu of Ogbagbaa, Onigege of Gege. I told the meeting that I did not sell Iwo land.
“The Commissioner (for Local Government) told us that since the matter had to do with land, he could not intervene. He advised that parties should approach the court to decide on the matter or meet the governor.
“AIG was still speaking to us on the position of the commissioner on the matter, when Oluwo started shouting that there would be chaos.
“He suddenly left his seat and pounced on Agbowu. He punched him several times and it was the AIG that rescued him from Oluwo. We were all shocked that a king would behave in that manner. When Agbowu was feeling dizzy, we had to rush him down here in Asubiaro Hospital. He sustained injury on his cheeks. We are demanding that the Osun State governor should immediately suspend Oluwo to prevent reoccurrence of such an incident.”
Commenting on the matter, the counsel for Agbowu, Babajide Siyanbola, said the monarch had briefed him and that appropriate legal action would be taken against Oluwo.
Man Beats Deaconess Wife To Death In Lagos Over Sex [PUNCH]
The running battle between a couple in Ladi-Lak, Bariga area of Lagos State, has ended on a tragic note as the husband, John Onyeme, reportedly beat his wife to death.
City Round learnt that the deceased, Esther Onyeme, was a deaconess and proprietress of a nursery and primary school in the community.
Neighbours said John always accused her wife of fornication and starving him of sex which often triggered their disagreements.
It was gathered that the couple and their three children lived together on Ayorinde Street, Ladi-Lak, until about five months ago when Esther packed out in the heat of a fight and relocated to a church.
John reportedly went to the church on Friday, January 31, 2020 and beat her to a pulp.
She was said to have been admitted to a private hospital in the community where she died three days after.
A resident of Ayorinde Street, Tope Adeyemo, told our correspondent that the woman had on several occasions reported John at the Pedro Police Station covering the neighbourhood.
Adeyemo said, “He had been beating the woman for a long time and she reported him many times at the Pedro Police Station. The woman ran a private school in the community. She was responsible and industrious but the man thought she was fornicating around.
“She left him five months ago when his trouble became too much. They have three children together. The eldest among them is 16 years old. They are now in their village in the East. It is disheartening.”
EFCC, NYSC Lead 10m-man March Against Corruption [LEADERSHIP]
The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and the director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, yesterday, spearheaded an anti-corruption walk in various states of the federation.
Magu said that the event was organised to enable the citizens know that corruption is one of Nigeria’s greatest problems.
He explained that the 10 million-man march against corruption was organised \by the EFCC and other stakeholders to draw public attention to the dangers it posed to national development..
The EFCC boss appreciated the participants at the Abuja rally, saying that the programme was focused on youths to support the commission in the fight against corruption in the country.
The minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, who also participated in the march, explained that the essence of the walk being held on Valentine’s Day was to catch the attention of the youths and to involve them in the campaign.
Dare said that the programme was to sensitise them on the need to give maximum support to the EFCC to stop those who want to deny them a better future through graft.
The president, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, expressed worry over the rate of corruption in Nigeria, claiming it had contributed to youth’s unemployment in the country.
Wabba said that the issue of corruption had become alarming in almost all the sectors, which according to him, would continue to increase unemployment.
Africa Records First Case Of Coronavirus In Egypt [LEADERSHIP]
Egypt yesterday became the first African country to record the first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) which broke out in China in December 2019 and has claimed hundreds of victims.
The country’s health officials confirmed that Egypt has had the first case of the novel coronavirus.
The nationality of the person was not given in a joint statement by the health ministry and the population ministry.
According to agency report, Egyptian authorities have notified the World Health Organization and the patient has been placed in isolation in a hospital for treatment and monitoring, AFP reported.
In reaction to speculations that there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, the federal government has explained that two cases that met the case definition for the virus were tested and found negative, while two other cases are currently undergoing series of tests.
The director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, stated this at a press briefing in Abuja.
He said that “at least we have had 30 investigations of people that have called us for one reason or the other. Out of that, two of them have met the case definition, that is, the person will have to have returned in the last 14 days.
“The two cases were tested and were found negative. Last night, we had another two, and tests are going on at the moment. As soon as they are completed, it will be announced. If a person returns to the country, say within 20 or 30 days, there is no point wasting reagents to test such a person.
“For other diseases, we usually advise people to go to the hospitals to get tested, but for suspected cases of Covid-19, patients are advised to simply put a call through to us, we will come to the patient because going to the hospital can amplify the disease if it is found to be positive.
“Be rest assured that if there is a positive case, we will be the first to announce it. So, if you see something on social media that a number of people have died of the virus in Nigeria, it is simply a rumour. It is not possible that it will happen because there are only three labs in Nigeria that run these tests,” he said.
Also, the minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, has restated that the country has the capacity to test for the Covid-19, in three major states across the country – Abuja, Lagos, and Irrua in Edo State.
Ehanire said that “Nigeria’s level of preparedness is very high despite the fact that there are reports that the Covid-19 has a fatality rate of about two per cent, which is not too high but spreads very rapidly.”
He said that the country’s frontline for defence against viruses are the port health services in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu, with Lagos having the highest traffic volume.
“Our national risk assessment is that the route for the importation is by air through the international borders. It is less likely by sea and over land because of the distance between Nigeria and China,” he stated.
Ehanire added the fact that there is no direct airline connection gives the country hope that if there are any cases that are possibly in transit, they wiill probably have been detected at the transit points of changing planes before they get into the country.
In his words, “I have met twice with the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria and he has told me that there are about 60 Nigerians in Wuhan, China, and no Nigerian is sick or has anything that is near this virus infection. The Chinese government is providing them with food and supplies like its own citizens.”
“We have enough reagents, and the Chinese ambassador told us that they are supplying 2,000 reagents which are used for the machines that identify the virus. They supplied 2,000 doses to Africa Centre for Disease Control, to be delivered to any African country that has need for it.
Bayelsa Boils As Diri Becomes Governor [LEADERSHIP]
Protesters yesterday unleashed terror on residents of Bayelsa State as they set ablaze public and private property to register their anger against the Supreme Court nullification of the election of David Lyon as governor on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The apex court, in its judgement on Thursday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declare the next candidate, who scored the highest cotes as the governor of the state.
Consequently, INEC yesterday presented Senator Douye Diri, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate with a certificate of return, and was accordingly sworn in as the governor of Bayelsa.
Before his inauguration, youths suspected to APC supporters stormed the streets of Yenaogoa, the state capital and unleashed mayhem on the people.
The protesters, who struck early in the morning, attacked and looted property in the homes of the new governor, his predecessor, Seriake Dickson, and some PDP chieftains
The hoodlums, comprising mainly women and youths carried placards and chantied “No David Lyon, No Bayelsa.”
They headed straight for the residence of Governor Diri along the Imgbi Road in the state capital and the Opolo home of Dickson where they carted away valuables.
Three of the attackers were however arrested by policemen deployed in the area.
The mob also attacked a public library built by Hon. Steve Azaiki, a member of the Federal House of Representatives before proceeding to the state secretariat of the PDP along the DSP Alameiseigha Way and set ablaze the security section and generating set house.
The complex of the Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation owners of the Radio Bayelsa was not spared by the attackers who destroyed over 15 vehicles owned by the station and members of staff. The protesting youths also carted away some Televisions sets, mobile phones and other valuables belonging to the workers.
They barricaded the major streets in Yenagoa as well as the East-West Road at the Kaiama axis in Kolokuma-Opokuma local government area was.The protesters stopped vehicular movement which made travellers stranded, set bonfires on the major road as they insisted that Lyon must be sworn in as the governor of the state.
A combined team of military and police detachment later took over strategic pots to restore peace in the state.
Police Impose Dusk To Dawn Curfew
Meanwhile, the police authorities have imposed a dusk to dawn curfew to check the escalation of the violence.