By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) caucus chairman of Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Chief George Fente, on Thursday, called on the state government, the military and other relevant agencies to tackle the proliferation of small arms in the state, especially in Nembe Local Government Area.
Chief Fente made the call when he appeared before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the violence, mayhem and breach of peace, which occurred in parts of Bayelsa State, before, during and after the presidential and National Assembly elections.
Cross-examined by Prof. Festus Emiri, counsel to the commission at the Multi-Door Court House, Yenagoa, Chief Fente corroborated the testimony of the member representing Nembe Constituency 2 in the State House of Assembly, Mrs. Ingo Iwowari-Gold, who appeared on Day 4 of the sitting.
She had earlier presented evidence of an attack at her father’s house in Bassambiri by gunmen suspected to be All Progressive Congress (APC) thugs, saying it was an assassination attempt on her life.
Chief Fente in his submission also called on security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army to be alive to its responsibilities of protecting life and property as the House of Assembly elections approaches.
According to him, the level of violence in the society is an indication that parents have failed in their primary duty of nurturing and training their children, while also lamenting that drug abuse and cultism have become major problems, which must be tackled in the society.
Similarly,
the Chairman, Council of Chiefs of Oweikorogha community in Southern Ijaw Local
Government Area, Chief Godbless Orubebe also testified before the Justice
Inikade-led commission, on the killing of the PDP Ward chairman, Seidougha
Taribi.
The chairman of the commission, Justice Inikade Eradiri, however, adjourned
sitting till Monday, next week to allow complainants and witnesses partake in
Saturday’s House of Assembly elections in the state.