By Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa
The country home of former President Goodluck Jonathan in Otuoke, Ogbia local government, Bayelsa State was again attacked by some unknown gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday, a few years after some militants bombed the same residence.
Confirming the report, the ex-President’s Spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, however said that the former Nigerian leader was not at home during the attack.
He added that during the incident, a soldier died while one other sustained serious injury, noting that the attack was not directly on Jonathan’s residence, but a security post near his house.
The statement issued by Eze on the incident read:
“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.”
