The reported attack on ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s country home by various news outlet is to a large degree false.
Various report had it that gunmen attacked the country home of the former president in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, killing an armed millitary officer in the process.
While various sources confirmed that the object of attack wasn’t the former president’s home but a gunboat stationed 100 meters away from the residence, the media and various political personalities were quick to conclude their judgement based on various ‘hear-say’ tales.
Being An Aftermath Of The Dickson- Jonathan ‘Face-off’?
Before the just concluded gubernatorial poll in Bayelsa state, various reports of how Governor Seriake Dickson frustrated Jonathan’s purportedly annointed candidate, Timi Alaibe in the state primaries surfaced.
He was also alleged to have denigrated the former president’s zone — Bayelsa east (Ogbia, Nembe and Brass) as non-core Ijaw people and traitors.
Although the former president did not campaign for the APC candidate, David Lyon, who later won the election, his wife, Patience showed her support vehemently.
The loss suffered by the party in the state which was formerly considered an impregnable enclave, was reported to have angered the authorities at the government house culminating into this attack.
The APC which had relished the stand of the former president during the poll called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the attack.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, it said: “Following reports that gunmen attacked the country home of former President Goodluck Jonathan in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, APC demands from security and intelligence agencies a swift, sweeping and thorough probe of the shocking incident.
“The APC joins other well-meaning Nigerians in condemning the attack in its entirety. We call on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and their sponsors. We extend condolences to the family of the soldier who reportedly died in the attack. The party also wishes the other injured soldier a full and speedy recovery,” he said.
His counterpart in the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan also released a statement charging the Federal Government to immediately track and apprehend the gunmen.
Criminally Motivated Attackers
Various unverified community sources said the attackers arrived via the river on five speedboats and opened fire on the soldiers.
This prompted the two soldiers stationed behind the house to confront the armed men leading to a heavy gun shootout and consequently, to the loss of a soldier.
It was also gathered that the gunmen came with explosives, which they deployed in the course of the attack.
The Joint Military Task Force confirmed the attack on it’s gun boat afirming the death of one soldier.
Also, the former president on whose home it was alledged to be attacked reacted to the event through a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze.
The statement reads: “A security post stationed near the Otuoke residence of former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in Bayelsa State was attacked by unknown gunmen, early Tuesday morning.
“The hoodlums who came in about five engine boats stormed the security post located about 100 metres away from former President Jonathan’s residence in his hometown, Otuoke by 1:30 am on Tuesday and attempted to take away a gunboat belonging to the military stationed at the creek beside the residence. They were however resisted by gallant soldiers who engaged them in a fire fight. The gunmen who couldn’t stand the firepower of the military were forced to beat a retreat.
“One soldier, unfortunately, lost his life in the fight while another was injured. “The injured soldier who is currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in Yenagoa is in a stable state. The former President, who was not in Otuoke at the time of the attack, however, returned to his village, early this morning, to assess the situation. Dr. Jonathan promptly condemned the attack and reassured his people that there was no cause for alarm. The former President has also condoled with the family of the deceased soldier, the military and has urged the concerned security authorities to swing into action and bring the culprits to book.”
