By Samuel Oyadongha
Yenagoa—Two persons among them a graduate of Niger Delta University, Bayelsa  State,  were, Thursday, feared dead in a landslide,  which hit the riverine community of Peremabiri in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

The missing youths, identified as Mr. Ikioudo Abel, a graduate of the Niger Delta University and a secondary school leaver, Stanley Dominic, were reported buried in the landslide during a football match, close to the community waterside.

Though the immediate cause of the landslide could not be ascertained, some indigenes of the community said it might not be unconnected with the incessant dredging work in the area.  Sources said search for the missing youths was still on.

It was gathered that the boys during a football game, had tried retrieving their ball close to the river shore when the incident occurred.

Spokesman for the Community Development Committee, Mr. Morris Johnson and a former militant leader from the community, Mr. Eris Paul confirmed the development. He blamed the incident on  the activities of two dredging companies of causing the landslide.

Mr. Johnson said though the community consented to the dredging projects  by the Shell Petroleum Development Company.  The company had not done any reclamation work as the dredging work had exposed the community to disasters in the last few months.

The former member of  Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Mr.  Paul, expressed concern over the rising cases of natural disasters in the area and appealed to the state government, President and the National Assembly to save the community.

Ogunboss said the people of the community were gripped by fear of extinction due to the recurring disasters.

He said the future of the community cannot be guaranteed, adding that the persistent dredging works in the area had polluted it waters.

When contacted, the spokesman of the State Police Command, Mr. Emokpae Eguavoen, said though the incident had not been reported to the command, he will contact the Oporoma division for details and investigation.