Armed Thugs Disrupt Bayelsa Chiefs Council Meeting, Sparking Tension

Tension rose in Okpoama Kingdom, Bayelsa State, as armed thugs disrupted a Chiefs Council meeting, allegedly tied to a faction loyal to a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva. The thugs reportedly attacked the venue, leading to chaos and the deliberate shutdown of the mobile network to prevent help calls.

The faction had petitioned Sylva to influence the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police to halt the meeting on security grounds. Despite initial suspension orders, security forces later allowed the meeting to proceed after reversing the directive.

The incident highlighted political tensions and power struggles within the local community, affecting the functioning of the Chiefs Council.