Governor Douye Diri has sacked the paramount ruler of Ogboinbiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA), citing a prolonged dispute that led to recent violence.
Chief Okosughe Benson Eseimokumo was relieved of his position on Thursday during an event at Government House, Yenagoa.
Furthermore, the governor announced the dissolution of the community’s council of chiefs, the community development committee and the youth body.
The action follows clashes in Ogboinbiri on Tuesday that reportedly resulted in loss of life and property damage.
In response, the state government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the community.
Diri said several attempts to mediate the conflict over the past two to three years had been unsuccessful.
He added that his deputy, Peter Akpe, had intervened and that he had personally met both the traditional ruler and youth representatives in Yenagoa, but the unrest continued.
“Security is everyone’s business. The state has been peaceful except for the unfortunate recent incident of killing and arson in Ogboinbiri community.
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“I have been very patient with Ogboinbiri community. Violent disputes have been ongoing for about two to three years now. I had set up different committees to resolve the lingering conflict there to no avail,” he said.
The governor stated that the state had not formally recognised Eseimokumo as paramount ruler due to the ongoing crisis.
“I was waiting for peace to be restored for us to recognise him, but, unfortunately, I am very sure he cannot hold that community together. We must say no to the evil acts in Ogboinbiri,” he said.
Diri directed the deputy governor and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Thompson Amule, to constitute an interim committee to administer the community until peace is restored.
He also instructed security agencies, including the police, to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the violence.
The governor urged residents to embrace peace, warning that further violence would not be tolerated.
Diri stressed that Ogboinbiri, an oil-producing community, should focus on development rather than conflict.
“We cannot afford to kill ourselves for pecuniary gains or for whatever reason.
“Ogboinbiri is an oil-producing community, and I keep telling them that what they are receiving are peanuts compared to what the oil companies get from Ogboinbiri,” he said.