A police operative identified as Obot Godwin has been killed by armed gunmen in the Amarata area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The incident occurred when the officer, who was not on duty at the time, went to purchase medicine.
Eyewitnesses reported that he was accosted by the assailants who dispossessed him of his mobile phone. In an attempt to retrieve it, he pleaded with them to return the phone, but one of the attackers fatally shot him in the head.
Following the killing, police operatives stormed Amarata in a violent raid that left residents in shock and fear. Witnesses recounted how officers broke into homes, destroyed property, and arrested several people indiscriminately. Tear gas was fired into residential areas, forcing families, including schoolchildren, to flee their homes in panic. The sudden raid created chaos, with many residents running barefoot onto the streets, while others sought refuge in nearby communities.
Residents described the police response as devastating. Glass windows were shattered, belongings were destroyed, and the sound of gunfire and tear gas canisters echoed across the neighbourhood. A broadcaster who lives in the area confirmed that the attack left the community unsettled, while a retired police officer in the neighbourhood also lamented the destruction and the fear caused by the operation.
The Bayelsa State Police Command confirmed the killing of the officer. Police spokesperson Musa Mohammed stated that the command was already making arrests in connection with the incident and assured that investigations were ongoing. He emphasized that the attack on a police operative was being treated with utmost seriousness and that those responsible would be brought to justice.
The Amarata community has in recent years gained notoriety for clashes linked to rival cult groups, making it one of the flashpoints of violence in Yenagoa. The killing of Obot Godwin and the subsequent police raid have further heightened tension in the area, leaving residents worried about their safety and the possibility of further unrest.
