The Bayelsa State Police Command has denied the alleged killing of an ex-militant youth in the state by the police, describing the allegation as mere rumour.
The ex-militant was allegedly killed during last Friday’s protest against the state governor, Seriake Dickson, over the alleged hijack of multimillion naira oil pipeline surveillance contract by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
According to the police, though the protest was carried out by some notorious ex-militants, resulting in the destruction of a police truck, the claim that an ex-militant died in the hands of the police was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the police command.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, ASP Asinim Butswat, the command said: “The command wishes to state unequivocally that there is no iota of truth in the allegations, is not aware of any death or injury to any person. The protesters, inspite of provocations and violent protest against the public and police, which resulted in smashing of several windscreen/glasses of vehicles belonging to innocent citizens, who were going about their lawful businesses and setting a Police Mercedes Truck, with registration number NPF 3005 on fire, were dispersed professionally with tear gas.”
“The command hereby enjoined the law abiding Bayelsa citizens to go about their legitimate businesses, as adequate security measures have been put in place, to curtail the activities of miscreants.”
However, the leadership of the ex-militants 2nd phase has asked the governor of Bayelsa State to stop creating problems in Ijaw land.
In a statement signed by the head of the 2nd Phase Amnesty Leaders, General Aso Tambo, the group urged the governor to concentrate on the task of providing leadership to Bayelsans, and not attempting to hijack the surveillance contract meant for people who have genuinely fought for it.
The group also accused the governor of conniving with the outgoing president of IYC, Udengs Eradiri, a director in the state- owned security firm to corner 50 per cent of the job for their private interest.
Its group also warned against any attempt to create trouble, vowing to fight until its objective is achieved. It also asked the governor to leave the ex-militants alone as they had paid the ultimate price from which he is the greatest beneficiary.
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