Security agencies in Bayelsa State conducted a highly visible show of force, deploying personnel across major streets in the state capital, Yenagoa, to assert control and reassure residents amid escalating political tensions. The operation, led by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH under the Central Naval Command, saw a coordinated effort involving the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Immigration Service, and Correctional Service. This display of strength comes against the backdrop of a brewing political clash between supporters of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and those of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
The show of force follows Governor Diri’s public warning about a planned rally scheduled for April 12, organized by a group called The New Associates to mobilize support for Wike and President Bola Tinubu in the South-South region.
Diri has expressed concerns that the event, occurring at a time of heightened political friction in neighboring Rivers State, could destabilize Bayelsa. “Holding such an event when political tensions are high in Rivers State could fuel unrest in Bayelsa,” Diri stated earlier this week. He urged security commanders, parents, and traditional rulers to prevent any attempts to “import the Rivers crisis” into Bayelsa, emphasizing the state’s role as the “cradle of the Ijaw nation” and its need for peace.
Diri also pointed fingers at a faction within the Bayelsa Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing them of aligning with a former governor to forment instability. “We have a renegade in our party who has formed a parallel PDP in Bayelsa, working with an ex-governor,” he claimed, linking this group to a discredited PDP South-South zonal congress rejected by the party’s National Working Committee.
In response, George Turnah, the rally’s organizer and the serving zonal secretary of the PDP in the South-South, dismissed Diri’s allegations. “It is not about destabilizing Bayelsa or any state,” Turnah countered. “The New Associates is a grassroots political movement mobilizing support for Tinubu’s administration in the South-South.” He further challenged Diri’s claims of his involvement with a former governor, asserting his legitimacy as a PDP member and questioning the governor’s accusations.
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The security operation unfolded with patrols across Yenagoa’s major thoroughfares, a clear signal of readiness to maintain order. Commodore Omobamidele Akinbami, commanding officer of NNS SOROH, led the exercise and addressed the public on its purpose. “This show of force reassures Bayelsa residents that security agencies are alert and ready to act whenever needed,” Akinbami said. “The peace in this state will be maintained, and we are here to ensure it.”
According to security sources the deployment included a mix of naval personnel, soldiers, police officers, and civil defence operatives, showcasing a unified front among the agencies. The operation was not only a response to the immediate political tensions but also a proactive measure to deter potential unrest ahead of the controversial rally. Residents observed armored vehicles and heavily armed personnel moving through key areas, a stark reminder of the state’s determination to keep the peace.
For many Bayelsans, the sight of security forces patrolling the streets was both reassuring and unsettling. “We want peace, and it’s good to see the government taking action,” said Ebi, a local trader in Yenagoa. “But it also makes you wonder what’s coming that they need to do this now.” Others expressed skepticism about the political undertones, viewing the operation as a muscle-flexing exercise tied to the Diri-Wike rivalry rather than a genuine security concern.
The timing of the show of force, just days before the planned rally, raises questions about its long-term impact. Will it deter political actors from escalating tensions, or will it deepen the divide between factions vying for influence in the South-South? The answers may hinge on how security agencies and the state government navigate the delicate balance between maintaining order and avoiding perceptions of partisan overreach.
As Bayelsa braces for the April 12 rally, the show of force serves as a clear message: the state’s security apparatus is on high alert. With political stakes rising and the specter of unrest looming, the coming weeks will test the resilience of Bayelsa’s peace and the effectiveness of its security strategy. For now, residents can only hope that this display of strength translates into lasting stability rather than a prelude to further conflict.
