Bayelsa: One killed as rival youth groups clash

A 26-year-old man identified simply as Tari, popularly known as Heavyweight, has reportedly been macheted to death following a violent clash between two rival youth factions in Diema community, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The deceased was said to be a member of a youth faction loyal to the king of the area.
According to a source, the crisis reportedly began when the king directed youths loyal to him to participate in an inspection visit to a parcel of land earmarked for the development of a crude oil tank farm by an oil company.
However, the youths were reportedly resisted by another faction loyal to another traditional ruler, who is a rival to the traditional ruler in the community.
The disagreement subsequently escalated into a violent confrontation, during which Tari was allegedly attacked with a machete and fatally injured.
The deceased, who hailed from Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri), in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was reportedly rushed to a hospital for medical attention.
However, medical personnel on duty were said to have declared him dead on arrival.
Sources close to the Divisional Police Headquarters disclosed that the incident had been reported to the police.
When contacted to speak on the incident, police spokesperson in Bayelsa State, DSP Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident, saying normalcy had been restored to the community.
He added that an investigation was ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the clash and determine what led to the young man’s death.