A violent confrontation erupted in Kaiama community, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, on Thursday as some Nigerian Army personnel clashed with protesting Ijaw youths demanding the immediate evacuation of Fulani herdsmen from the area.

SaharaReporters learnt that the protest followed an attack on a local farmer, believed to be an indigene of the community, allegedly by suspected herdsmen operating within the farmlands surrounding Kaiama.

The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has reignited long-standing tensions between local residents and the nomadic cattle herders over land use, security, and the destruction of farmland.

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SaharaReporters gathered that hundreds of Ijaw youths took to the streets in a peaceful protest, calling on the state government and traditional leaders to expel the herdsmen, whom they accused of posing a threat to the lives and livelihoods of the people.

However, the situation escalated when troops stationed in the area — believed to be members of the Joint Military Task Force —moved in to disperse the crowd.

Multiple sources alleged that soldiers fired warning shots into the air and used force to break up the gathering, triggering chaos in the town.

“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.”

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) July 17, 2025