RismadarVoice Reporters May 1, 2026
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has ordered the immediate removal of the paramount ruler of Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Chief Okosughe Benson Eseimokumo, following escalating violence in the area.
The governor also directed the dissolution of the Ogboinbiri council of chiefs, the community development committee, and the youth leadership structure, in what officials described as decisive steps to restore order after days of unrest.
The announcement was made on Thursday during the April 2026 Praise Night held at the King of Glory Chapel in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The action comes in the wake of a violent clash earlier in the week that resulted in fatalities and widespread destruction of property, including arson attacks. The unrest prompted the state government to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the community.
To stabilise the situation, Governor Diri mandated his deputy, Peter Akpe, alongside the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Thompson Amule, to constitute an interim governing committee to manage the affairs of Ogboinbiri pending the restoration of peace.
The governor further directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that all individuals involved in the violence are apprehended and prosecuted.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Dan Alabrah, the governor clarified that the state had yet to formally recognise Chief Eseimokumo as paramount ruler due to lingering disputes within the community.
Governor Diri expressed concern over recurring conflicts in oil-producing communities, attributing many of the crises to disputes over revenue sharing from oil companies. He noted that the benefits accruing to host communities are minimal compared to the profits generated by oil firms, urging stakeholders to prioritise peace and dialogue.
Authorities say the interim measures are part of broader efforts to restore stability in Ogboinbiri and prevent further escalation of violence in the region.
