Perema Freetown kidnap: Ijaw musicians threaten to boycott Alamieyesiegha’s burial, others

From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
INDIGENOUS musicians under the aegis of Ijaw Per­
forming Musicians Association (IPMAN) in Bayelsa State
have thrown Bayelsans into confusion over their decision
to shun all invitations to perform at burials, marriages and
other ceremonies until Grand Master Perema Freetown,
who was kidnapped recently, is released
Important ceremonies that are being threatened by the
decision include the November 25 burial rites of the first
governor of the state, Alamieyeseigha Diepreye and the
former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and
chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Col.
Samuel Inokoba (retd).
The musicians, who had been contacted and billed to
perform threatened to put on hold, any scheduled perfor­
mance in the state due to the continued Freetown’s abduc­
tion.
The musicians, in a protest march through the streets of
the state capital, called for the unconditional release of
their colleague and stressed that no musician will perform
in any function until their colleague regains his freedom.
The Spokesman of the protesting musicians, Smooth,
decried Freetown’s abduction and described the
development as “an ugly trend.”
Addressing the protesters, Special Adviser on Security to
Bayelsa State Government, Mr. Sparrow Jack, appealed to
the musicians to remain calm as security agencies are
handling the matter.