By Gideon Njoku
In a fatal incident that is bound to shock the Nation, tens of gunmen at about 1.30am Tuesday, swooped on the Otuoke home of former President Goodluck Jonathan, killing one of the soldiers on guard duty, and injuring another.
In his immediate reaction, the former President condoled with the family of the dead, and, reassured a shocked Nation of his safety, and the ability of the Nation’s Security to handle the situation.
The gunmen had stormed a military post, 100 meters away from his residence in five engine boats. They, also, tried to make away with a military gun boat.
They were, however, repelled by the gallant soldiers on duty.
At the time of the attack, the former President was not home. He was said to be in Yenegoa, but quickly returned home to monitor the situation.
Since then, hundreds of angry Bayelsans, screaming blue murder, have been trooping to Jonathan’s residence to assess the situation.
Following is a statement, issues on Jonathan’s behalf, by his Media Aide, Ike Eze.
Re: Attack in Otuoke by unknown gunmen
“A security post stationed near the Otuoke residence of former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele 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.”
