Fear and confusion swept through Amarata, a bustling suburban community in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Tuesday, following reports that a police officer was allegedly killed in the area, sparking a violent reprisal raid by security operatives.

Eyewitnesses said armed policemen stormed the Ompadec and Punch area of Amarata in the early hours of the morning, breaking into houses and shooting sporadically and spraying tear gas.

Terrified residents, including women and children, reportedly fled their homes to escape the gunfire, leaving the neighbourhood deserted.

Mr. Priye Julius, a broadcaster with Radio Bayelsa, and Mr. Forsbray Inegha, a retired police officer, who confirmed the incident, said their own homes were damaged during the raid.

“They smashed our windows. Everybody is living in fear now because nobody knows what will happen next,” Julius said.
Some of the residents who spoke with our correspondent described the scene as horrifying and chaotic, as children going to school were not spared by the rampaging policemen, stating that families had fled their houses to escape the gunfire.

Our correspondent, who resides in one of the mini-estates at Ompadec, was attacked by the police. Two people, identified as Osigwe Chibeueze Valentine and Micheal Edward, were forcefully taken away from the estate, adding that the policemen broke into houses, while men and women were taken into custody by force.

He said, “These young men were forcefully taken from my mini-estate today at Ompadec Street. One is a businessman, and his wife is a banker with Access Bank, while the other works at the new Bayelsa park.

“A neighbour’s house window opposite my house was broken with a gun butt, a POS stand was vandalised, many innocent people were arrested, houses destroyed, spread tear gas everywhere, even school children were affected, while residents ran helter skelter for their safety.”

While residents continue to flee the scenes, community leaders are calling for restraint, urging both residents and security personnel to avoid further confrontation. They warned that any escalation could lead to widespread unrest in Yenagoa.

The latest incident has again placed Amarata in the spotlight, raising urgent questions about security and governance in Yenagoa.

Amarata has, over the years, earned a reputation as one of Yenagoa’s most volatile neighbourhoods after Swali, another suburb of the state capital, which is notorious for clashes between cult groups, rival gangs, and law enforcement officers.

Sporadic violence, often linked to gang rivalries and police crackdowns, has turned the area into a recurring flashpoint in the state capital.

Even after many reports and calls for government intervention, nothing seems to happen to the gangs as most of them, when arrested, are soon released either by community leaders, high-ranking politicians or their Capone, who are mostly on the government payroll.

Following the killing of the policeman identified as Goodluck Oboh, pressure is mounting on the Bayelsa State Government and security agencies to intervene swiftly to prevent further loss of lives and restore peace.

A resident, who identified himself as Mr. Innocent, called on civil society groups, including the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and the Ijaw National Congress (INC), as well as others, to weigh in on the controversy as residents continue to leave in droves.

For now, the community remains on edge, its streets haunted by uncertainty, as residents brace for what may follow in the unfolding crisis.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Bayelsa State, Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident, adding that an investigation is ongoing to arrest the suspected killers.