Explosion Rocks Bayelsa Home Of Ex-Militant Leader

The house of one of the ex-militant leaders in Bayelsa, Eris Paul, popularly known as General Ogunboss, has been rocked by dynamite explosion.

It was gathered that the attack occurred at the Etegwe, Yenagoa residence of the ex-agitator at about 11pm on Thursday.

The dynamite was thrown into the premises from the right side of the building, while General Ogunboss and his friends were relaxing in front of his house.

At the scene, the damaged swimming pool with shattered lamps and tiles were seen.

Following the incident, men of the Nigerian Air Force residing in the next building cordoned off the area and restricted vehicular movement.

The attack has triggered renewed tension among ex-militants in the state over their disagreement with the State Government for allegedly hijacking the management of pipeline surveillance contract awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

News Express recalls that General Ogunboss was among ex-militant leaders who led a protest against the State Government over alleged plot to hijack the pipeline security contract from the NNPC to the oil bearing communities.

The State Government had condemned the protest, while a group of militants under the aegis of Mangrove Boys of Bayelsa threatened to match force with force with the ex-militants should they attack the State Government again over the pipeline contract.

Confirming the incident, Ogunboss 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.

“Two days ago, one of my followers escaped assassination. Some strange faces were in his home yesterday night. They were masked and armed with A.47 rifles. They rough-handled the wife and the husband escaped. I asked him to go and report at Akenfa Police Station. While we were waiting, this explosion occurred,” Ogunboss said

Contacted on the incident, Butswat Asinim, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, said: “We got a distress call at about 10:20 p.m. on a fire outbreak at Ogunboss’ residence and the Door Akpoor and the fire service were mobilised to the scene. The fire was put off.”

NewsExpress