Kojo denies link to Opu-Nembe invasion, killings

Threatens lawsuit against community
An indigene of Opu-Nembe of Bayelsa State and the alleged mastermind of incessant attacks on the Bayelsa community, Dr. Kojo Sam, has been described as mischievous, wicked and unthinkable the allegations linking him and some persons to the attacks and killings in the community.

Recall that yet-to-be-identified gunmen stormed the community on February 15, killing three persons, a development that sparked outrage across the state.

Earlier, the youth leader of Opu-Nembe, Ayerite Moses, had alleged in statement that the killings were authorised by Sam as part of the plot to upstage him as a youth leader.

Also, on Tuesday during a news conference at Opu-Nembe Townhall, the leadership and the entire Opu-Nembe Kingdom accuse Sam of masterminding the attacks.

But Sam, in his reaction, denied the allegations and called on security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book.

He said: “Opu-Nembe has been under serious savage since the inception of Ayerite Moses (Youth President) and grows curiously under the rulership of Chief Ezekiel Ikoli, the Chairman of Council of Chiefs.

“The press conference by the council chairman lacked merit because I have no hand in the invasion of the community.”

“It is a known fact that the youth president has turned the community into a militant zone and its residents to political prisoners. Power, water, peace and other social amenities are long lost.”

Also speaking, former Youth President of the community, Iruo Theo, who was equally accused of involvement in the attacks, denied any involvement, alleging that enemies of Ayerite were the ones fighting him but he chose to blame innocent persons.