Five persons were feared dead in Yenogoa, the capital of Bayelsa State in the early hours of yesterday when two armed groups engaged themselves in a prolonged shootout.
The incident, which occurred at Okaka-Epie community, came just a week after the killing that occurred in a night club as well as another one involving supporters of a football club in the state.
Eye-witnesses said sporadic shootings started on Friday at the Kpansia primary school field adjacent the popular Vegas Plaza night club, making passers-by, including motorists to scurry for safety. Store owners and other activities were also forced to close in the early hours of the night.
The situation also abruptly ended the entertainment activities of the Vegas Night club billed for Friday night as other outfits in the imposing building were shut to customers.
However impeccable sources disclosed that the shooting became more pronounced in Okaka community, which is adjoining Kpansia. No group has owned up to the shootings as at the time of this report.
Sources claimed that the police exchanged gun shots with the aggressors. A combined detachment of the Joint Task Force (JTF) later joined the police to wade off the gunmen suspected to be cult groups.
Corpses of the victims were taken to the Federal Medical Center (FMC) mortuary by the police.
Mr. Ibonkete Iniobong, the police image-maker in the state, who confirmed the incident, however, said the situation was under control as the police had taken control of the area.
The shootings came few hours after the State Government announced the setting up of a committee to get to the root cause of the football fans’ killings. Governor Timipre Sylva had set up the committee on Friday.