Bayelsa: Deputy governor’s brother escapes assassination

Less than 48 hours to the supplementary election in Southern Ijaw Local Government in Bayelsa State, Mr. Beinmopre Jonah, brother of the state deputy governor, on Thursday, escaped assassination by the whiskers, as thugs suspected to be working for the All Progressives Congress, (APC) invaded his residence in Ekeki, Yenagoa Local Government, leaving him unconscious.
The suspected APC thugs, it was learned, stormed the area, brandishing dangerous weapons, including machetes, cudgels and headed straight for his residence.
The entire area was thrown into panic, as the suspected thugs threatened to shoot, maim and kill anybody that may put up resistance or call security operatives.
The invaders overpowered his guard, broke the security lock of the gate and headed straight to the living room, where he was with members of his family and attacked him.
The victim, according to sources, overpowered the defenceless Jonah and inflicted machete cuts all over his body before they finally left.
The operation, which lasted for close to two hours left the entire neighbourhood in a state of pandemonium, as they were made to stay indoors.
As at the time of filing this report, the victim whose head was heavily bandaged with machete cuts all over his body is receiving treatment at the Government House Clinic, Yenagoa.
Also, efforts to get his comment on the incident proved abortive, as he was in a state of unconsciousness, with serious injuries on his head, neck and chest.
The attack is coming on the heels of Saturday’s supplementary polls in Southern Ijaw council and 101 units across six local governments in the state, which is expected to be the deciding factor.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of Publicity, Restoration Campaign Organisation, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, condemned the attack, describing it as a confirmation of the PDP’s earlier position that APC is not ready for election in the state but war.
The attack on the immediate younger brother of the Deputy Governor is a pointer to the terror that the APC is planning to unleash on the people of the state during Saturday’s re-run.
Obuebite therefore, called for thorough investigation into the matter, adding that, this is the only way the people in the state will have confidence in the security personnel.
He said it was sad to note that some top politicians and ex-militants alleged to be responsible for the botched December 2015 governorship election in Southern Ijaw local government area are still working freely, without being arrested by the security agencies.