The leadership of Biseni Kingdom and the people of Tein in Okordia-Zarama, Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have raised fresh concerns over what they described as worsening insecurity in the area, calling on Governor Douye Diri and security agencies to urgently intervene.
In a petition dated June 23, 2026, addressed to Governor Douye Diri, the Acting Ibedawei of Biseni Kingdom, HRH Chief Williams Wariebi, alongside members of the Biseni Kingdom Ruling Council, alleged that the activities of a group known as the Biseni Development Forum pose a serious threat to peace and security in the kingdom.
According to the petition, the forum was allegedly established without the approval of the Biseni Kingdom Ruling Council, with its objectives remaining unclear despite efforts by the traditional institution to engage its members.
The petition stated that the ruling council invited members of the group to explain the purpose of the forum but claimed they failed to provide satisfactory clarification. Following the meeting, the council directed the group to suspend its activities. The said group parading itself as Biseni Development Forum has no clear vision, purpose, or genuine intention to bring development or unity to the people but rather their activities as semblance with cultism.
The traditional rulers alleged that the group’s leaders, namely Bright Agangila, Iro Okia and Ndubibo Aye, also known as “Bele Burst,” insisted that their mission was to monitor ongoing development projects alongside contractors operating in the kingdom.
The council, however, argued that there were already recognized structures performing such oversight functions, including committees established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) involving Oando and Renaissance, the Management Assessment Team, Advisory Committee, Biseni Youth Federation, Community Development Committees (CDCs), vigilante groups and oil and gas committees across the kingdom’s 13 communities.
The petition warned that any attempt to interfere with ongoing projects would amount to disobedience of the constituted authority of the Biseni Kingdom Ruling Council.
The traditional rulers further alleged that members of the forum ignored earlier warnings from the ruling council, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Biseni Division and the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police not to stage protests. According to the petition, on June 20, 2026, members of the group allegedly blocked access to a solar-powered installation project site at Tein Community between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., broke bottles at the project site and issued threats of violence.
The petition claimed the protesters threatened that if any member of the group was arrested, there would be a “bloodbath,” that “Biseni would boil like Omoku in Rivers State,” that houses would be burnt and that certain individuals had been marked for attack.
Describing the situation as an imminent security threat, the traditional rulers appealed to Governor Diri to increase police patrols, strengthen surveillance across the kingdom, ban the activities of the Biseni Development Forum and compel its members to sign undertakings to maintain peace or face legal consequences. Copies of the petition were forwarded to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 16, the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Meanwhile, in a separate press release, the people of Biseni Kingdom also raised concerns over what they described as persistent attacks on oil and gas infrastructure and destruction of property within the community. The statement, signed by one of the Leaders of Biseni Kingdom, Chief Ebibula Amaoru Jonathan, alleged that a group of individuals masquerading in armed uniforms and wielding dangerous weapons had been responsible for repeated acts of vandalism targeting critical oil and gas facilities.
The community further alleged that the attacks had resulted in the destruction of houses and the attempted murder of a security personnel, leaving residents living in fear while economic activities and vital national assets in the area remained under threat.
Chief Amaoru Jonathan specifically named Bright Johnny Agangila, Ebi Tony, Aye Youpele, Governor Bekesu, Amas Bekesu, Famous Atama and Preye E. Aye, also known as “Bele Burst,” alongside other persons said to be at large, alleging that they were responsible for the incidents.
The community called on the Commissioner of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 16, and the Director of the Department of State Services to urgently deploy security personnel to restore peace, prevent further destruction of lives and properties, and ensure that anyone found culpable is arrested and prosecuted.
As of the time of filing this report, the individuals named in both the petition and the press statement had not publicly responded to the allegations, while the Bayelsa State Government and security agencies were yet to issue official statements on the matter.