One dead as residents, farmers clash in Bayelsa

One person has been killed and a farm settlement burnt as the people of Akaibiri and Bumoundi communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State clashed with Anam farmers doing commercial farming in the area.

It was gathered that the Anam people from Anambra State have been operating farm settlements in most places in Bayelsa State to cultivate crops for commercial purposes.

The problem was said to have started on October 6, when one Mr Apah Abel, from the Bumoundi community, was allegedly murdered on allegation of stealing at the farm settlement.

The indigenes of Akaibiri and Bumoundi were said to have launched a reprisal, setting the farm settlement on fire.

Confirming the incident, Bayelsa State Police Command said two persons were already in custody over Abel’s killing, warning the people of Akaibiri and Bumoundi communities, as well as Anam farmers, against taking the law into their own hands.

The State Commissioner of Police, Alonyenu Idu, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Gabriel Elaigwu, while speaking during a meeting with the state deputy governor and the stakeholders from the two communities and farmers on Tuesday, confirmed that the two suspects allegedly involved in the murder of Apah were already in police custody and promised that a thorough investigation would be conducted.