HENRY Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa state governor, has called on the people of Biogbolo Community in Yenagoa to sheath their swords and maintain a cordial relationship with their Igbo tenants.According to him, government has to arrest and prosecute the suspect who murdered a teenage girl in the community. Governor Dickson made the call at the weekend while addressing representatives of Biogbolo and Igbo communities at a closed-door meeting in Government House, Yenagoa.

He said that although the unfortunate incident occurred when he was on a working visit to the United States, directives were immediately given to the police and other security agencies to apprehend the suspect and all who might have played any role in the act.

Dickson however warned those who are cashing in on the situation to disrupt peace and socio-economic activities such as harassing Igbo traders in the community to stop forthwith or face the wrath of government.

He, therefore, urged the people of Biogbolo community to allow Igbo traders reopen their shops for business on Monday as the alleged crime was committed by an individual and not all the Igbo’s, who he noted, have been peaceful and law abiding.

While commending the leadership of the Biogbolo community for their show of understanding and maturity, Dickson stressed the need for them to sensitise their people on the dangers of taking the law into their hands.

On the outcome of the meeting, Asuquo Amba, State Commissioner of Police,  described the deliberation as fruitful, saying efforts were on top gear to ensure the arrest of the suspect in no distant time.

Also, Oboku Oforji, caretaker Chairman of the Yenagoa local government council, expressed gratitude to the governor for the measures put in place to achieve lasting peace between the people of Biogolo, the Igbo and other residents in the area.

He described the governor’s directive on the reopening of shops owned by Igbos in the community as timely, well thought out and in the best interest of both Biogbolo and Igbo communities.

In their separate remarks, Amaka Maurice, president of Ohaneze, Bayelsa State chapter, and Ukachukwu Ohaeri, president, Unified Traders Association, also thanked the governor for his efforts at tackling the problem and pledged to cooperate with security agencies.

Although the paramount ruler of Biogbolo was said to be unavoidably absent at the meeting, representatives of the community including Longlife Gilbert, also applauded Dickson’s directive and assured the state government of the community’s readiness to abide by it.

Those who were present at the meeting include Talford Ongolo, chief of staff, Government House, Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, his deputy, Jonathan Obuebite, commissioner for Information and Orientation,  Boma Spero-Jack, special adviser on Security Matters,  and a representative of the State Director of DSS.

– May 21, 2017 @ 12:00 GMT