Bayelsa Police arrest suspects in gruesome killings linked to community crisis

The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of several individuals suspected to be involved in the brutal murder of Odeinyefa Ogbolosingha, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and an in-law to Governor Douye Diri.

Ogbolosingha’s death sent shockwaves through the state, but he was not the only victim. The suspects are also believed to have played a role in the killings of HRH Kolibo Amabelimo, the Paramount Ruler of Kalaba community, and Samuel Oburo, Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC). These tragic incidents all took place in Kalaba, a community in the Yenagoa Local Government Area.

According to a report by LIB, the violence may have been fueled by ongoing tensions within the community. The crisis reportedly stems from disputes over the proposed establishment of a refinery in the area. Some residents had opposed the project, and their resistance is believed to have triggered the wave of violence that claimed these high-profile lives.

During a press briefing on Monday, May 5, 2025, Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, confirmed the arrest of the suspects and assured the public that justice would be served.

The CP said that the suspects, Gideon Atama, 32, Bethlehem Nwanlia, 49 and Clever Ovo, 33, allegedly committed the crime in 2022.

Idu disclosed that while one of the suspects, identified as Perekebi Nwanlia, was deceased, both Atama and Bethlehem Nwalia were still at large, but Clever Ovo is in police custody.

According to him, Ovo has confessed that they were members of the notorious Endurance Amagbein gang whose leader, Endurance Amagbein, has since been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army over the alleged killing of 16 soldiers at Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State in 2024.

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Idu said Gideon Atama was arrested with a mobile phone while dressed in army camouflage uniform and well-kitted like a soldier.

“But upon a close check on the phone, pictures of assorted rifles and voice notes of their previous operations were unravelled. They also went further to mention sponsors in the vandalisation of installations and facilities in the region,” the police boss added.