In Yenogua, two persons among them a graduate of Bayelsa State owned Niger Delta University were Thursday feared dead in a landslide which reportedly hit riverine Peremabiri community in the Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.
The missing youths, identified as Mr. Ikioudo Abel, a graduate of the Niger Delta University and a secondary school leaver, Stanley Dominic, were reported to have been submerged by the landslide during a game of football close to the community waterside.
Though the immediate cause of the landslide could not be ascertained but some indigenes of the community said it might not be unconnected with the incessant dredging work in the area. Sources said the search for the missing youths is still on.
It was gathered that the boys during a game of football were trying to retrieve a stray ball at close to the river shore when the incident occurred.
Contacted on the development, the spokesman for the Community Development Committee, Comrade Morris Johnson and an ex-militant leader from the community, Comrade Eris Paul confirmed the development and accused the two dredging companies, operating in the area of provoking the landslide.
Morris Johnson said though the community consented to the dredging projects being carried out by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the SPDC has not done any reclamation work and the dredging work has exposed the community to disasters in the last few months.
The former member of the Upper Senate of the Movement For the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND),Comrade Eris Paul, popularly known as Commander Ogunboss expressed concern over the rising cases of natural disaster in the area and appealed to the state government, the President and the National Assembly to come to the aide of the community.
Ogunboss noted that the people of the community are gripped by fear of extinction due to the recurring disasters.
According to him, the future of the community cannot be guaranteed adding that the persistent dredging works in the area has polluted it waters.
When contacted, the spokesman of the State Police Command, Mr. Emokpae Eguavoen, said though the incident has not been officially reported to the command, they will contact the Oporoma division for details and investigation.
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