By Jimitota Onoyume
PORT HARCOURT—RIVERS State Government has appealed to residents of B Dere and K Dere communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, who fled the areas in the wake of Tuesday clash between  two rival groups in area,  to come back as securitymen had been deployed to maintain peace in the areas.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who made the appeal, yesterday, when he visited the communities in company of the Commander, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt and the state Commissioner of Police expressed shock at the level of destruction in the areas that was brought about by the clash.

The Governor, who enjoined  warring parties to sheath their sword, said he was in the area to see things for himself. He urged communities in the state to resist the temptation of using violence to  resolve their differences.

The Governor pleaded with members of the communities to endeavour to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, the government had set up with relevant information that will help  achieve enduring peace in the areas.

“The only way the commission will succeed is for people to say their side of the story,” he said.

It will be recalled that crisis first broke out between the two communities about two weeks ago. The  situation allegedly resulted to the death of some people, with several houses also reportedly torched.

Shockingly again, the ugly development repeated itself on Monday with about six persons feared dead and several houses also set ablaze. At press time, the communities had almost been completely deserted as residents fled the area for fear of their lives.