Residents of Ondewari, a coastal settlement in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have fled the area following clashes between rival gangs in which two persons were reported dead. The News Agency of Nigeria learnt that most of the residents observed the New Year in the bushes were they were hiding. Acting Paramount Ruler of the community, Chief Peresho Erefawari, decried the frequent clashes by armed gangs in the area and urged the state government to halt the bloodshed. “The clash was caused by protest by some youths in the community who were aggrieved over their exclusion in the petroleum pipeline protection jobs in the area. “We have tried in vain to broker a truce so that peace will prevail, but to no avail,” he said.

Source: Punch January 02, 2018 11:48 UTC