Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Bayelsa State, working in collaboration with the Joint Task Force, have arrested 14 suspects and recovered firearms in connection with last month’s attack on Ogboinbiri community, where one person was killed and several others sustained injuries.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Musa Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to him, the security operatives acted on credible intelligence to arrest the suspects. He added that the operation led to the recovery of four pump-action guns, three packets of cartridges and four operational speedboats fitted with engines suspected to have been used for criminal activities along the waterways.
The arrests come amid heightened security concerns in Southern Ijaw following violent clashes in Ogboinbiri community, which prompted intervention by the Bayelsa State Government and security agencies to restore peace and prevent further violence.
Last week, Governor Douye Diri dethroned the paramount ruler of Ogboinbiri community and his council over the crisis.
Before the action by the governor, the state government had imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the community in an effort to forestall further loss of lives and restore order.
Mohammed stated, “On May 10, 2026, at about 2.30pm, police operatives attached to the command and personnel of the Joint Task Force, acting on credible intelligence, carried out a search warrant on the premises of one ‘Lionface,’ identified as a loyalist of the former youth president of Ogboinbiri community, Mr Pere Experience, and the deputy paramount ruler of the community.”
He explained that the operation resulted in the recovery of firearms and speedboats, while 14 suspects were arrested in connection with the attack and related criminal activities.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the principal suspect, identified as Lionface, who remains at large.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Iyamah Daniel Edebor, commended the operatives for the successful operation and reassured residents of the command’s commitment to sustaining the ongoing crackdown on criminal elements across the state.
