Gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday attacked the Otuoke country home of former President Goodluck Jonathan, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
A family source confirmed to newsmen in Abuja that the former president was not at the Otueke home when the gunmen struck around 3am on Tuesday.
The member of the family said that Jonathan left Otueke for his Yenagoa home just before midnight, having visited the village three times on Monday.
“The gunmen assumed that he was in the Otueke residence having seen him visiting thrice on Monday till late. His movements confused the assailants,” the close associate of former president said.
“The gunmen, who came with many motorized boats, were heavily armed but were intercepted by soldiers at the river bank linking the home. But they shot and killed one of the soldiers instantly while one is in critical condition.
“But the soldiers fought back and killed no fewer than two of the attackers whose bodies were taken away by the fleeing gunmen,” the family member added.
Media Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, Tuesday, has said it was a security post near the ex-president’s home in Otuoke was attacked by gunmen.
He said in a 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.”
