Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has set up a 10-man Peace and Security Committee chaired by Senator Moses Cleopas to find an enduring and lasting peace in Peremabiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government of the state.
The committee, according to the governor, has one month to complete the assignment.
Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen had invaded the community in about 50 speedboats last Sunday and reportedly torched over 20 houses.
The gunmen were alleged to be on a mission to take over the control of the community from an ex-militant leader, Paul Eris, popularly known as Ogunboss.
The gunmen reportedly chased out community members suspected to be loyal to Ogunboss and took over control of the town. Normalcy returned to the community following Governor Diri’s intervention.
Diri said, “The committee is to find out the immediate and remote causes of the crisis. Within this period, there shall be no recognised chiefs in the community.
“Also, there is no Community Development Committee (CDC) chairman for now. The security agents will remain in Peremabiri for now to ensure peace.”
Members of the committee are: Senator Moses Cleopas, Chairman; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Diriyai Dambo, SAN, Secretary; Mr Preye Influence Oseke; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Konbowei Benson and Technical Assistant on Conflict Management, Mr. Boma Sperrow-Jack.
Other members are Special Adviser on Security 1, Mr. Agberebi Akpoebi; Special Adviser on Security 2, Mr. Felix Awoitega; Chairman, Ijaw Youth Council, Central Zone, Clever Inodu; His Royal Majesty, King Joshua Igbugburu and His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo.
In a related development, a five-man peace committee has been constituted to identify the immediate and remote causes of recent disturbances in Egbema Angalabiri communitynin Sagbama LGA.
Governor Douye Diri announced the committee during yesterday’s State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Konbowei Friday Benson, is to chair the committee.
The committee has one month to complete the assignment.