BAYELSA STATE IMPOSES DUSK-TO-DAWN CURFEW IN OGBOINBIRI COMMUNITY AFTER DEADLY COMMUNAL CLASH

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Bayelsa State Government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area following a violent communal clash that left one person dead and forced residents to flee their homes.

In a statement on Tuesday, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ebiuwou Obiyai, said the curfew took effect from April 28, 2026, and will run daily from 6pm to 6am until further notice.

“As part of efforts to maintain public peace, the Bayelsa State Government has declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Ogboinbiri Community… Defaulters shall be treated as a threat to public peace,” the statement warned.

The unrest reportedly began after a dispute involving the former youth president, Mr Experience Pere, who was accused of being found with suspected stolen electric poles. The incident escalated into retaliatory attacks between rival groups, resulting in property destruction and violence.

During the crisis, properties including those belonging to the Paramount Ruler, His Royal Highness Okosughe Eseimokumo, were vandalised. A subsequent reprisal attack led to the death of a resident identified as Ifolo, who later died at a local hospital after sustaining a head injury.

Authorities confirmed that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the violence, while dozens of residents fled the community amid fear of further attacks.

The Southern Ijaw Local Government Council said it had previously made unsuccessful peace interventions, even as the state government constituted committees to resolve tensions in the area.

The Bayelsa State Police Command said tactical teams have been deployed to the community, adding that normalcy has been restored and patrols are ongoing to prevent further escalation.

Residents have been urged to remain calm, obey the curfew, and report suspicious activities to security agencies.