Bayelsa: Hoodlums kill policeman, fear grips community

Diri

A policeman, Obot Godwin, was killed at about 6am on Tuesday in the Amarata area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, as he went to buy some medicine, PUNCH Metro has gathered.

Obot was robbed of his phone and was pleading with the thieves to return the phone to him when he was hit on the head and he died instantly.

PUNCH Metro also gathered that following the killing, policemen swooped on the area around OMPADEC Street and environs, breaking into houses, carrying out indiscriminate arrests and firing into the air.

PUNCH Metro learned that residents, including school children, were tear-gassed.

Residents said the Amarata, one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in the Yenagoa area, has been witnessing violent crimes for some time but the security agencies have failed to act until the killing of Obot.

It was further gathered that some residents have fled the area over the police action, while traders have locked up their shops and families have shut their doors.

A resident who did not want his name mentioned said, “Windows were smashed during the raid, and the community has been left in fear of further violence.” Punch