From AISHA RABO , Abuja
Chaos on yesterday in Ogbolomabiri community in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State after the exchange of gunfire between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) during a governorship rally organised by the ruling party.
A staff of the Bayelsa State-owned radio broadcasting corporation, Radio Bayelsa and driver of the broadcasting van identified as Simon Onu was hit by flying bullet and died on the spot while trying to move his vehicle from the fighting area.
A policeman was reportedly shot in the leg, while another mobile police was also shot in the stomach. There were five others identified as supporters of the PDP mobilised from Yenagoa, the capital city were reported killed in the bloody shooting.
The governorship campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which was to be hold in the area was disrupted and party faithfuls chased out of the area. Bayelsa State correspondent with other journalists who attended the event were held hostage in the Nembe forest for several hours until they were rescued by the military.
Governor Seriake Dickson, who was supposed to attend the rally in company of the candidate of the party, Senator Douye Diri, however, condemned the shooting.
It was gathered that the trouble started when some supporters of one of the political parties started defacing posters and flags of the rival political party at the King Koko Square venue of the rally.
Serious shooting by armed men reportedly rocked the King Koko Square venue of the campaign as party supporters waiting for the dignitaries to arrive ran for their lives.
The gunmen, also opened fire on the protocol bus of the Bayelsa State Government House along the junction between Bassambiri and Ogbolomabiri communities. Confirming the shootings, the incident, spokesperson of the Nembe Chiefs Council, Chief Nengi James, said there was a clash between rival supporters of the PDP and APC in Nembe resulting in injuries.
He said: “I can confirm that supporters of the PDP and APC clashed in Nembe with some people sustaining various degree of injuries, but however, no death has been recorded.”
Also, a prominent indigene of the area and former senator representing Bayelsa East senatorial district, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amangi, has condemned in its entirety the act of provocation and violence released on the community by supporters of the People Democratic Party (PDP).
Chief Barigha-Amange said that this was uncalled for, because other patties did use the same venue for their rallies which was very peaceful. Although he warned that no individual should hide under any political platform to disrupt the peace and harmonious relationship amongst the people in Nembe.
He called on the various security agencies in the area to double their efforts in stopping troublemakers from further terrorizing the peace-loving people of Nembe in name of politics as no group would be allowed to over run the Nembe community.the Police Public Relations officer, Asinim Bustwart, was yet to respond as at press time.
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