September 27, (THEWILL) – Sectors in Opu-Nembe, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have described as misleading and cheap blackmail, the attempt by the owner of Euphemie Hotel, Chief Darius Obiene-Dede, to drag the name of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, into the issue of the community’s use of the facility for law enforcement personnel.
The sectors of the community, represented by the Chairman, Deputy Chief Council, Chief Okolo Dede; Chairman, Elders Council, Indoma Igbalbo; Chairman, Special Elders Council, Igbogi Yemabise Amalagha; Chairman, CDC, Mr. Konbonimi Awori; Youth President, Mr. Toinpre Sambo; Young Ladies President, Mrs. Beatrice Awululu Numoyu, and Chairman Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs, Chief Yousuo Theo Iruo, describes as false allegations that the police team invaded Opu-Nembe and forcefully took over the facility.
According to them, contrary to what Chief Obiene would want the world to believe, it was the community that requested the deployment of the SWAT team following insecurity issues in Opu-Nembe, which needed a neutral police team to handle.
They noted that it was the community that gave Euphemie Hotel for use by the police team, stressing that the IGP was not involved. They also pointed out that before the arrival of the police team at Euphemie Hotel, the facility was in a derelict condition, where snakes and other reptiles seek refuge.
They, therefore, said that the hotel’s attempt to force a debt of N625 million at N50,000 per night for 50 rooms for 13 months on the IGP is not only laughable but a sad display of dishonesty, which is least expected of Chief Obiene.
They advise Obiene that if he is no longer interested in allowing the community to use his facility he should follow the right procedure and write to the community, which would seek an alternative accommodation for the police team.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
