From Willie Etim, Yenagoa

Although the Army authorities said that the presence was to prevent the state from a descent into chaos, following rallies for, and against the governor by the residents, the state government accused the federal authorities of harbouring sinister motives by the deployment.

The state House of Assembly has served an impeachment notice on the governor who is standing trial in the United Kingdom on money laundering charges. He had jumped bail penultimate weekend and returned to Nigeria where he enjoys immunity from arrest and prosecution.

But the heavy presence of soldiers did not stop protest marches.

A women group that styled itself: "Bayelsa Women for DSP," led by Mrs Clem Odu, appealed to the Federal Government to allow Alamieyeseigha to complete his tenure, arguing that the governor had done well for the state.

But another group, the "Bayelsa Youths for Good Governance" held a procession and carried a mock coffin of the governor with an illustration of him dressed as a woman.

The leader of the group, Mr Victor Akenge, said that the people of the state had had enough of the governor and that he should resign honourably.

The Public Relations Officer of the Joint Task Force code-named "Operation Restore Hope", Major Said Hammed, said the presence of the soldiers in the state was to maintain the peace as well as protect lives and property.

The residents woke up to see heavy presence of soldiers in the state capital and its environs yesterday.

The soldiers took positions in all the strategic locations within the state, and took over the main entrance into the state from Mbiama Junction into the town.

Another check point, Igbogene city gate, just three kilometres from Mbiama junction, was also manned by the soldiers.

The Sani Abacha road junction and the Tombia junction leading to the governor's hometown Ammassoma, also had heavy presence of the soldiers with a stationed mini-armoured tank.

Imgbi road, through the state House of Assembly complex down to the main gate of the Government House were also taken over by the soldiers.

In a statement yesterday, Hammed declared:" Sequel to recent development in Bayelsa State, the security situation around Yenagoa and its environs has become most unstable and degenerated to a level of total breach of the peace and security with threats to lives and property around the vicinity"

According to him, the resurgence of armed militant youths, both in support of and against the governor of the state has heightened the tension in the area and forced some establishments to close down.

The army spokesman added: "Intelligent reports revealed that some youths roam the streets of Yenagoa, dressed in military combat gears and they are said to be armed.

"In the present circumstance, the peace and security of the state is gradually drifting towards chaos and anarchy."

He maintained that the troops deployment was to avert chaos, violence and ensure peace among the residents.

The command also warned members of both camps who were wearing military combat gears and were roaming the streets to desist from such an act. It, however, called for co-operation with the task force and advised the public to go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation or harassment.

Alamieyeseigha denies the charges of money laundering and says he is being persecuted for political reasons.

The governor insists that the £1.8 million found in cash and bank accounts was not his.

In the UK, High Court judges have rejected his argument that he should enjoy immunity as a governor but said he could appeal to the House of Lords.

It is not clear whether the security forces will, on the orders of the Federal Government, try to arrest Alamieyeseigha.

Alamieyeseigha was originally arrested in September at Heathrow airport and some £1 million-worth of cash was allegedly found in his London home.

He was granted bail on the condition that he remained in the UK, surrendered his passport and reported regularly to the police.

If the judges find that he has skipped bail, securities worth some £1.25 million would be forfeited.

Troops were on Wednesday last week deployed to a neighbouring Amabulou community in old Ekeremor Local Council Area of the Bayelsa State. But the spokesman for the troops, tagged: "Operation Restore Hope," Major Sani Ahmed, said that their mission was to flush out members of a local militia group in the area.

President Olusegun Obasanjo, in a November 23 letter to British Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed surprise at the governor's escape from the U.K.

Obasanjo described as unclear and confusing the security network around the governor, which put to question the famed prowess of the U.K. Police.

He also expressed surprise that the British government did not alert Nigeria to the possibility of the governor breaching the law despite not reporting to the police in London three days before the dramatic escape.

A statement by the Acting Chief Press Secretary to the governor Preye Wariowei expressed concern that the troops deployment might be a ploy to cause violence in the state to provide an excuse for the declaration of an emergency rule by the federal authorities.

The spokesman said: "It has been brought to the notice of the Bayelsa State Government that His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has formally directed that military troops be moved to Yenagoa, and take over Bayelsa State.

"Indeed residents of the city woke up this morning to witness truck loads of soldiers in battle gear and anti-riot policemen mounting road blocks and check-points in various parts of the city. In addition, military helicopters have been on surveillance mission around the state capital, especially over Creek Haven, the seat of government."

Wariowei continued: "Needless to say, this development comes as a complete surprise because the city has been in a state of absolute calm and order.

"Clearly, the presence of the troops confirms the long-standing speculation in the public mind of a conscious attempt by the Federal Government to provoke unrest in

the state to justify the proclamation of a state of emergency, and consequently occasion the removal from office of His Excellency Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Executive Governor of Bayelsa State."

He added: "In a democratic government which professes to place great store on due process, this latest act of intimidation and coercion amounts to a negation of all

known tenets of democratic governance.

"Furthermore, it has been brought to the notice of the State Government that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has directed banks to freeze all accounts of the State, Ministries, Parastatals and Local Governments in a bid to bring pressure to bear on civil servants and the good people of the state, to rise against the government of Chief Alamieyeseigha.

"Accordingly, the Executive Governor has appealed to Brigadier General Zamani, the commander of the forces to exercise restraint over his troops who are on an

arbitrary stop-and-search routine, not to molest the innocent citizens of the state as they go about their lawful duties."

Wariowei declared further: "Chief Alamieyeseigha equally enjoins all patriotic sons and daughters of Bayelsa State to remain law-abiding in the face of this obvious and unnecessary provocation."

He quoted Alamieyeseigha as saying: "This is a tempting period for the good people of Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation as a whole," adding: "The journey ahead may be hard, long and tedious. It may even appear to be insurmountable. But, as always, we should look up to God who has always stood by the people of Bayelsa State."