There was pandemonium in Kaiama, a community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, on Thursday following a violent clash between personnel of the Nigerian Army and Ijaw youths protesting the presence of Fulani herdsmen in their farmlands.
The victim, said to be an indigene of the area, was reportedly attacked on his farmland. Angered by the incident, hundreds of Ijaw youths took to the streets, calling on the Bayelsa State Government and traditional rulers to urgently evict the herdsmen whom they accused of destroying farmland and posing a threat to community safety.
“One of our brothers was attacked on his farm and left for dead. Instead of addressing the issue, they are now turning against us,” one of the protesters who requested anonymity told SaharaReporters.
Protest Turns Chaotic As Military Intervenes
Understands that the supposed peaceful protest spiralled into chaos when troops reportedly attached to the Joint Military Task Force stormed the area in an attempt to disperse the gathering.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers fired multiple warning shots into the air, triggering panic and confusion among residents and protesters.
“We were only protesting peacefully when the army came and started shooting into the air,” another protester said. “We were not violent, we only wanted our voices to be heard.”