A violent confrontation broke out on Thursday in the Kaiama community, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, as protesting Ijaw youths clashed with Nigerian Army personnel over the continued presence of Fulani herdsmen in the area.
The protest was reportedly sparked by a recent attack on a local farmer, believed to be a native of the community, allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen operating around farmlands near Kaiama.
Sources stated that the incident, which occurred earlier in the week, has reignited long-standing tensions between residents and the nomadic cattle herders over issues of land use, security, and the destruction of farmlands.
Hundreds of Ijaw youths staged a peaceful protest, urging the Bayelsa State government and traditional rulers to expel Fulani herdsmen from the area. The protesters accused the herders of endangering lives and threatening the livelihoods of local residents.
Tensions, however, escalated when security operatives—believed to be members of the Joint Military Task Force—intervened to disperse the demonstrators.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts, the soldiers allegedly fired warning shots into the air and used force to break up the protest, plunging the town into chaos.
“We were only protesting peacefully when the army came and started shooting into the air,” said a protester who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal.
“One of our brothers was attacked on his farm and left for dead. Instead of addressing the issue, they are now turning against us.”
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