APC wants sponsors of attack on Jonathan unmasked

By Lateef Ibrahim

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has demanded a thorough probe of the attack on the residence of the immediate past President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, in his country home in Otuoke, Bayelsa state.
The demand was contained in a press statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Lange Issa-Onilu.
The APC joined other Nigerians in condemning the attack in its entirety, calling on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and their sponsors.
The APC’s statement reads, “Following reports that gunmen attacked the country home of former President Goodluck Jonathan in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the All Progressives Congress (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”, it said.
In a related development, ex President Jonathan has reacted to the attack in the early hours of yesterday on his country home, Otuoke in Bayelsa State, declaring that there is ‘no cause for alarm’.
Jonathan has similarly condemned the attack in a strong term.
Reports from many sources showed that a soldier was killed during the attack, while another one was injured and is being hospitalized.
The former President has already condoled with the family of the deceased soldier and urged the military and the concerned security authorities to swing into action and bring the culprits to book.
A statement yesterday by the Media Adviser on Media to the former President, Ikechukwu Eze, which gave an account of what happened, explained that Jonathan was not in Otuoke at the time of the attack.
It added that the former President has however returned to his village yesterday morning to assess the situation.
The statement titled, “Re: Attack in Otuoke by unknown gunmen”, reads,, ‘a security post, stationed near the Otuoke residence of former President, 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.
“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”, the statement concluded.