A friendly football match involving teams from Eniwari and Opuama communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Saturday turned bloody as fans from the opposition team from Opuama attacked and killed a youth from Eniwari community, identified as Thomas Ogbianawei.

According to accounts from community sources, tensions flared during the match when a disagreement broke out among players from the two teams.

It was gathered that the misunderstanding escalated into a confrontation on the field, although no spectators or match officials were reported to have participated in the clash.

The situation reportedly worsened after the game as some members of the visiting Opuama team, while returning from the match, encountered a young Eniwari indigene identified as Thomas Ogbianawei along the route between Eniwari and Fonibiri communities.

They attacked him after identifying him as an indigene of Eniwari.

He reportedly sustained severe injuries and later died, a development that has thrown the community into mourning and heightened tensions in the area.

Community leaders have, however, appealed for restraint, urging youths to avoid reprisals that could further escalate the situation.

The Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Hon. Target Segibo, who confirmed the incident, appealed to leaders and residents of Eniwari and Opuama communities to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of escalating tensions in the area.

Hon. Segibo, who made the appeal in a statement issued on Sunday by his Press Secretary, Ayibatari Easterday, expressed sadness over the incident and extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and the people of Eniwari Community.

Police spokesman in Bayelsa State, DSP Musa Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, said an investigation has commenced, and one suspect has been arrested in connection with the killing. (Text, excluding headline: Daily Trust)

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