There was pandemonium in parts of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Tuesday morning following the killing of a policeman on Monday night.
Armed policemen reportedly launched a reprisal raid in the early hours of Tuesday, storming homes and shooting indiscriminately.
Two residents, journalist Mr. Priye Julius and retired police officer Mr. Forsbray Inegha, described scenes of panic as families fled to avoid being hit by stray bullets.
They said several house windows were smashed during the raid, leaving the community gripped by fear of further attacks.
Community leaders have appealed for restraint from both residents and security operatives, warning that any escalation could trigger a wider breakdown of law and order.
Amarata, a densely populated neighbourhood in Yenagoa and a known flashpoint for clashes between cult groups and security operatives, has a history of sporadic violence involving rival gangs and police crackdowns.
Eyewitnesses alleged that two persons — a businessman and a worker with Bayelsa Parks — were forcefully taken from their homes during the raid.
He said, “Two young men Osigwe Chibueze Valentine, and Micheal Edward who lives in an Estate at Ompadec Street were forcibly arrested and taken into custody. Chibueze Valentine’s wife works in a commercial bank in Yenagoa, the state capital.”
“A neighbor’s house opposite my house was broken into with gun butts, a POS stand was vandalized and many arrested including men and women”.
Bayelsa police public relations officer, Mr. Musa Mohammed, a superintendent, confirmed the incident and identified the slain policeman as Oboh Goodluck.
He said investigation is ongoing to arrest the suspected killers.
