Bayelsa decides turns bloody: Five shot dead in Southern Ijaw

No fewer than five people have been reportedly shot dead in Southern Ijaw even as the elections are said to be continuing in Bayelsa state.

This is coming following series of violence which had erupted in the state since yesterday night, where gunshots have been repeatedly heard in several parts of the state.

There were also gunshots reported in Brass local government area of the state. It was not immediately ascertained about the level of violence recorded so far in other parts of the state.

In Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Tiwei Orunnimighe and an ex-militant, Ogunbos, as early as 6:00 am. allegedly led thugs to open fire to disrupt the distribution of election materials.

The sporadic gunshots was said to have led to the death of five people as the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) tried to repel the rampaging armed thugs.

It was also learnt that gunshots have also been reported in Brass and Nembe Bassambri, where political thugs are said to be having a field day.

In Nember, a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Princess Ingo Iwowari, was reportedly attacked and stripped of all her belongings, including cash.

The governorship election in Bayelsa State has opened on a bloody note with four persons already gunned down.

Worried residents are said to be complaining about the state during the polls appealing that “The security operatives should as a matter of urgency deploy more of their men to the area.”

The election is a straight fight between incumbent governor Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his predecessor and main rival, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC).