Bayelsa House of Representatives caucus in the National Assembly has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to investigate the circumstances that led to recent sporadic shootings in Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) Community, in the Nembe Council of the state. 
   
Recall that On August 12, 2023, there were reports of invasion of Opu-Nembe by men of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of the Nigerian Police Force, in a Gestapo fashion, leading to death and arrest of some youths. 
    
Addressing journalists, yesterday, in the company of her colleagues, member representing Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency, Marie Ebikake, said the alleged invasion was politically motivated. 
   
While commending the state government’s response to the crisis, the lawmakers said the raid caused death of innocent citizens, while there were indiscriminate arrests and detention of scores of youths, who, they said, are currently in the custody of the Nigeria Police in Abuja
    
The caucus said: “May we also remind the Inspector General of Police (IGP) that a ‘sting’ operation of such nature, carried out in total disregard of existing protocols, with regards to the role of the governor as the chief security officer of the state within his domain, is not only a threat to our democracy, but raises questions of the presence of the Joint Security Task Force stationed in the community over the years. 
    
“We implore the commission of inquiry set up in the aftermath of the incident to determine the root cause of the crisis and proffer a permanent solution to these unfortunate incidents in Opu Nembe (Bassambiri). 
    
“We want to use this opportunity to call on the President Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, empanel a high powered commission of inquiry on the immediate and remote causes, including the role of the Nigeria Police, particularly the SWAT department, their source of funding and other individuals, who played roles in the armed invasion, to ensure perpetrators are fished out and made to face the law.”