Brass—The Amadabo of Sambo Ama in Twon Brass Kingdom of Bayelsa State, HRH Samuel Sambo, has condemned the invasion of Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area by gunmen which left at least three youths dead and others critically injured.
The monarch who described the incident as anti-Nembe, foolish and nefarious regretted that despite calls for non-violent approaches to resolving conflicts, some individuals still resort to violence, to the extent of mobilizing armed men and weaponry against their community.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sambo lamented the killing of promising young men and women without any justice, especially when it appears to be connected to the general elections.
“Our people must know that times are changing and violence is not a good strategy for winning elections, because of the improved electoral process and the damaging effect violence leaves on victims.
“By now, all candidates are believed to have campaigned vigorously to inform the electorate what they have in store for them if they win.
“Political stakeholders are therefore expected to now go to the elections and see the outcome of their campaign; not by killing political rivals or intimidating voters with guns.
“The recent Bassambiri killings must not be swept under the carpet. Relevant security agencies should live up to their responsibilities and apprehend the monsters that planned, executed and sponsored the heinous attack, including previous attacks on the residents,” the statement reads in part.
He appealed to the Bayelsa State Government to give the needed support to the security agencies and to also constitute a judicial panel of inquiry to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the several killings that have occurred in recent times.
Sambo also called on Nembe people not to allow violence to become a culture in their communities, noting that the invasion and subsequent killings in Bassambiri should and must be condemned by all well-meaning Nembe citizens.
His words, “our ancestors were not beasts, and we cannot be killing one another like beasts for mundane gratifications.”
