There is palpable tension in Bayelsa following the bombing of the home of a former militant-leader in the state, Mr. Paul Eris, alias Ogunboss.
This attack is coming barely one week after the ex-militant leader participated in a violent protest in the state capital over an NNPC surveillance contract which they accused Governor Seriake Dickson of hijacking.
It was gathered that the attack was masterminded by four unidentified men, with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) known as Dynamite.
The attack, which prompted a loud explosion at the Etegwe residence of the ex-militant -leader, occurred at about 11pm on Thursday.
The explosive device, according to the aides of the ex-militant, was thrown into the premises from the right side of the building, while Ogunboss was relaxing with fellow ex-militants in front of the house.
A visit to the attacked home of the ex-militant leader showed a damage swimming pool area with shattered lamps and tiles.
The men of the Nigerian Air Force, residing at a building next to the ex-militant’s, have therefore, restricted vehicular movement in the area as a result.
It was further gathered that the explosion, which caught the ex-militant leader and his followers unaware, made them pursue after the attackers, “but the minutes gained by the surprise attack and the attackers’ use of commercial tricycle, made their arrest impossible. But we gave them a hot chase.”
The Ex-militant leader, General Ogunboss, while confirming the incident, said the dynamite attack on his home was part of a suspected series of attacks on him and his followers in the last few days due to his position against the alleged state government hijack of the oil pipeline surveillance job in the state.
According to Ogunboss,”Two days ago, one of my followers escaped assassination. Some strange faces were in his home yesterday night. They were masked and armed with AK47 rifles. They rough handled the wife, but the husband escaped. I asked him to go and report at Akenfa Police Station. While we were waiting, this explosion occurred.”
But when contacted, the spokesman to the Bayelsa Police Command, Butswat Asimi, said the distress call the Police received from the residence of the ex-militant-leader at about 10.20pm was that of a fire incident. “We got a distress call at about 10.20pm of a fire outbreak at Ogunboss’ residence and the Door Akpoor and the fire service department were mobilised to the scene. The fire was put off.”
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, yesterday in Yenagoa had an interactive session with oil and gas host and transit communities, threatening to deal with any person or group of persons under the guise of ex-militants or whatever names trying to form a parallel government under his leadership, in accordance with the law.
Speaking at the occasion, the governor said his administration will never bow to threats and intimidations on the NNPC pipeline surveillance contract.
He added that he has the goodwill to give the ex-militants 50% of the contract, but insisted that they must ensure the delivery of their required obligation.
According to him, our intention in forming the Izon Ibe Security outfit which will soon be launched is in the goodwill of the entire citizenry of the state. Its overall aim is to provide massive employment for the youth.
He stated that Izon Ibe Security shall be home based in areas where there are oil pipelines in order to create room for proper identification, and give adequate accountability where there are lapses.
In his words, “Last year, we set up Izon Ibe Security as our own security outfit that will be community based, and the difference is that it is government owned. We have training programmes and also intend for traditional rulers to make input, so that there will be proper identification in knowing those involved and their respective communities.
