ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen, allegedly dressed in military camouflage, have shot dead a youth’s leader and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Mr. Odeinyefa Ogbolosingha.
The deceased, aged 53, was an Administrative Officer in Bayelsa State Civil Service and Secretary, Okordia/Zarama Cluster Development Board.
Ogbolosingha was said to be killed a few hours after discharging his ailing wife from the hospital to their house.
The incident, which occurred along the Mechanic Village area along Edepie-Imiringi road in Yenagoa, the state capital, led to pandemonium in the area.
It was learnt that angry youths of the community attempted to create a blockade to slow down the escape of the assailants but failed.
Some of the residents, who spoke on the incident, expressed worries over the increasing cases of violent killings and kidnapping being perpetrated by gunmen usually dressed in military uniforms with tinted cars.
They called on the military authorities to salvage their image by assisting the police to stem the ugly trend.
It was gathered that the gunmen, who were three and dressed in military uniforms with masks over their faces, stormed Imiringi road by Block Industry Street and shot their victim in the head and other parts of his body at a close range.
It was also gathered that Ogbolosingha’s murder was not unconnected with the raging communal crisis in his community in Kalaba in Okordia/Zarama area which led to the killing of two of their prominent leaders recently.
The Paramount Ruler of the community, Chief Francis Kolubo, and the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Chief Samuel Oburo, were brutally murdered last month over their alleged refusal to concede to some community folks who planned to set up an illegal refinery in order to engage in illegal oil bunkering activities.
A security source said that there was a recommendation before the state government calling for a quick resolution of the crisis consuming the Kalaba community to avert more violent deaths.
The security source, who spoke in confidence, said: ”Some names were mentioned in the Kalaba crisis. The state government has been called to intervene to stop these killings. We hope the government will rise to the occasion to stop the wanton killings in the community. Enough is enough is enough!”
Spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident.
He stated: “Police operatives responded to a distress call at about 1400 hours on Friday 22 July 2022, that armed men shot one Odeinyefa Ogbolosingha at his residence at Imiringi road, Yenagoa.
“The victim was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenagoa for treatment, but was confirmed dead by doctors on arrival at the hospital. Police have commenced Investigation into the murder.”
