Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has ordered the immediate removal of the paramount ruler of Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Chief Okosughe Benson Eseimokumo, following the ongoing violent crisis in the community.
The governor also directed the dissolution of the Ogboinbiri Council of Chiefs, the Community Development Committee (CDC), and all youth-related bodies in the area.
The decision comes after a recent outbreak of violence on Tuesday that resulted in deaths and the burning of houses in the community.
The incident prompted the state government to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Ogboinbiri to restore order.
Governor Diri announced the measures on Thursday during the April 2026 Praise Night at the King of Glory Chapel in the Government House, Yenagoa.
He further directed the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule, to set up an interim committee that would oversee the affairs of Ogboinbiri until peace and security are restored.
Security agencies, particularly the Commissioner of Police, were also instructed to arrest those responsible for the violence and ensure they face prosecution.
“Enough patience has been exhausted,” Diri said.
Diri said the state government had made repeated attempts over the past few years to resolve the crisis without success, including setting up committees and direct interventions.
He stated that the situation had become unacceptable, stressing that continued violence in the community could no longer be tolerated.
According to him, the paramount ruler had not yet been formally recognised by the state government and was not seen as capable of uniting the community.
Call for peace in oil-producing communities
The governor also expressed concern over recurring conflicts in oil-producing communities, noting that disputes over oil-related benefits were often the trigger for unrest.
He warned that the gains from oil operations in host communities were insignificant compared to what companies earn, urging residents to avoid violence over material gains.
Diri also gave an update on the state’s 60-megawatt gas turbine project, saying technical work was nearing completion. He urged residents to remain patient, assuring them that efforts were ongoing to ensure stable electricity supply in the state.
