Drama As Nigeria Police Raid Bayelsa Community, Arrest Five Armed Youths, Recover Arms, Ammunition

As many as five youths have been arrested in Opu-Nembe in the Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State with arms and ammunition, according to SaharaReporters.

The arms and ammunition were recovered during an operation led by a special team of Mobile Policemen (PMF) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of the Nigerian police.

The raid was carried out over the weekend at the criminal hideouts in the community.

SaharaReporters learnt that it was in response to several petitions by some concerned people in the community following criminal activities of armed youths.

Investigations revealed that the police team and other security agencies were initially resisted by armed the youths from gaining entrance into the community but the superior firepower of the team subdued them, forcing many of them to flee.

Sources in the community stated that the police team raided the suspected hideouts of the armed youths and arrested five of the alleged criminals in the process.

A statement by the Bayelsa Police Command through its spokesman, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the sting operation, recovery of arms and an ongoing investigation 

“The sting operation was conducted professionally, based on the standard operating procedure of the Nigeria Police Force. No life was lost.  Members of the community are urged to go about their lawful and legitimate businesses as the Police would not harass or intimidate any law-abiding citizen,” it said.

The action of the IGP has received commendation from the Concerned Citizens of Opu-Membe who are urging the police to remain in the community so as to sustain the peace.

In a press conference addressed on Sunday by Chief Kienghosuote Degi, the group praised the deployment of the police team to salvage the community and return it to normalcy.

Chief Degi recalled the press conference convened in July where they appealed to the IGP to intervene and save the people of the community from armed youths.

He said the prompt response of the IGP demonstrates his readiness to curtail crime, criminality and protect the people.

Degi urged those that had been forced to leave the community to return home and carry out their legitimate duties as peace had been restored by the IGP.

“We, the Concerned Citizens of Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) community wish to warmly appreciate and commend the effort of the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force for their quick response to our plea for peace in Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) community.

“For, the security agents' action to arrest those hoodlums and cult boys terrorizing our dear kingdom is further demonstration of its readiness to give justice and the desired peace and security, as the sacrosanct duty of the security agents in the country.

“We believe strongly that this action taken will definitely serve as a deterrent to any other barbaric and unsavoury acts of intimidation and harassment, killing, raping and looting, as well as, destruction of houses and property belonging to innocent and law-abiding citizens of Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) community.”