By Uche Mbah
The story had filtered in early Tuesday morning that the home of former President Goodluck Jonathan has been attacked, with a soldier killed and another wounded. But more details indicated that some gunmen who came in gunboats from the creek stormed the security outpost in order to steal a military gun boat stationed at the creek.
Confirming this, the spokesperson of President Jonathan, Ikechukwu Eze, said the injured is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital, adding that Jonathan came back to Otuoke Tuesday morning.
Below is an excerpt from Eze’s press statement.
“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 firefight.
“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.”
Reports indicate that Soldiers have already swung into action, cordoning off the town and combing the area for the perpetrators of the crime.
