Bayelsa Police dispels rumours of attack on former President Jonathan

The Bayelsa Police Command on Monday described as false, misleading and mischievous, reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan escaped death in an attacked in the state at the weekend.

Jonathan had attended a political rally of the Peoples Democratic Party for the re-election of incumbent governor of Bayelsa, Chief Seriake Dickson on Saturday.

The rumour mills had it that Jonathan’s convoy was attacked by gunmen suspected to be hired assassins.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Butswat Asinim, (ASP) said the report was mere rumours.

Also, Spokesman of Operation Pulo Shield, Joint Military operation deployed to the Niger Delta to protect oil facilities, Lt.-Col Isa Ado said that there was no attack on the ex-president.

It was however gathered that some unemployed youths had followed the convoy of the ex-president to solicit for cash dole out only to be arrested by security details attached to the former.

The Police Spokesman said that the youths may have taken Jonathan’s convoy to be that of a governorship aspirant.

“There was no attack on the former President. The youths mistook his convoy for a governorship candidate engaging in campaigns.

“But when they discovered on getting to the entrance of his house in Yenagoa that it was that of the President, they ran away. Some of them were arrested. They did not haul stones at the President’s convoy.

“They did not attack the convoy and no weapon was found on them.” Butwat said.