Seven persons were said to have lost their lives in Oluasiri community in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State as two militant groups clashed on Wednesday, August 19, 2020
A source in the community, who preferred anonymity, told journalists on Thursday that two groups of militants and kidnap gangs opened fire on each other at about 7:45 pm on Wednesday, where the stray bullets killed seven residents while others were still missing.
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He said the community was still searching for the body of other missing persons as at Thursday morning.
The police authority in Bayelsa state have since confirmed the clash which resulted in sporadic gunshots in the community.
The police spokesman of the Bayelsa State Command, SP Asinim Butswat, in a statement on Thursday, said that the police and other security agencies have launched an investigation into the shoot outs.
He also disclosed that investigation was ongoing to ascertain if there were casualties, adding that further information will be made available at the end of the investigation.
He said: “The Bayelsa State Police Command, in synergy with other sister security agencies in the state, have commenced investigations into the sporadic gunshots witnessed at Oluasiri, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
“Information at the disposal of the Bayelsa State Police Command revealed that on 19 August 2020, at about 1945 hours, there were sporadic gunshots witnessed by the residents of Oluasiri Community in Nembe Local Government Area of the State.
“It is believed that the gunshots were a result of a clash by rival militant groups in the creeks of Oluasiri community.
“The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Mike Okoli fsi, wishes to reassure members of the Public that a joint operation by security agencies is ongoing to fish out the perpetrators and ensure the safety of lives of residents of the Community and the protection of critical infrastructures,” he said.
