Residents of Amarata, in Yenagoa Local Government of Bayelsa State, were thrown into uncertainty on Tuesday after police operatives conducted a large-scale raid in response to the alleged killing of a police officer.
According to eyewitnesses, officers entered the Ompadec and Punch areas in the early hours, firing shots, entering homes, and releasing tear gas. The operation led many residents, including women and children, to vacate their homes. By midday, parts of the neighbourhood were nearly empty.
Mr. Priye Julius, a broadcaster with Radio Bayelsa, and Mr. Forsbray Inegha, a retired police officer, confirmed damage to their homes. “They smashed our windows. Everybody is living in fear now because nobody knows what will happen next,” Julius told reporters.
Local accounts claimed that arrests were made without clear explanation and that property was damaged in the process. One resident reported that two individuals, Osigwe Chibeueze Valentine and Michael Edward, were taken away by the police.
“They entered houses, broke a PoS terminal, and used tear gas. Schoolchildren were affected as well, and people had to run for safety,” the witness said.
Community leaders have called for calm and urged all sides to prevent further tension. They warned that any escalation could create wider disruption in Yenagoa. Amarata, along with nearby Swali, has previously been associated with clashes involving cult groups, gangs, and security agencies.
The police officer who was reportedly killed has been identified as Goodluck Oboh. His death has led to renewed concern about public safety and calls for intervention from the Bayelsa State government and regional bodies including the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).
Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation is ongoing to identify those involved in the officer’s death.
