Unknown persons in the early hours of Sunday invaded Peremabiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, setting over 20 houses ablaze.
The armed men, who were allegedly on a reprisal, invaded the community in 50 speedboats, on a mission to take over control of the community from an ex-militant leader, Paul Eris also known as Ogunbos.
According to community sources, the gunmen have chased out community members suspected to be loyal to Paul Eris and have taken over control of the town.
Explaining further, a community source who does not want his mentioned said “as I speak with you many people are still hiding in the bush and many houses have been burnt down.
“The gunmen came in over 50 speedboats shooting sporadically and gained entrance into the community. People had no other option than to run into the bush for safety.
“Our intelligence report has it that the gunmen have vowed to remain in the community and ensure that Ogunbos and his followers never return to the community.
“I was told that the Christmas day attack on Ogunbos’s house was to drive him out of the town. And that today’s attack is aimed at taking total control of the community.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident, said that preliminary investigations revealed that on 3rd January 2021 at about 0700 hours unknown gunmen invaded Peremabiri, a riverine Community in southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
