Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Governor Seriake Dickson: says opponents behind attack on military base

The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson said Friday night’s attack on a Nigerian military base in Nembe was aimed at ousting him from power, as the December election nears.

The governor blamed political opponents for the attack.

“All these acts of insecurity and brigandage are intended to put fear in the minds of the people, ahead of the December 2015 governorship election and we call on Bayelsans to remain steadfast and be law abiding as well as go about their businesses”.

“As a Government, we worked so hard and committed a lot of our State’s resources to achieve the peace, we have been enjoying and it is sad to observe that, because of their political ambitions, some persons want to perpetuate violence, brigandage and insecurity across the State”, he said in a statement.

Dickson has sent his condolences to the Chief of Army Staff. Major General Tukur Yusuf Buratai and the families of the five slain military and police officers by unknown gunmen over the weekend in the State and vowed to partner with security agencies to fish out the killers.

A Government House statement, signed by Daniel Iwariso Markson,the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the Governor expressed serious regret over the incident and assured that, the administration will partner with the security agencies to arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act, stressing that, no stone will be left unturned to bring the killers to justice.

The statement condemned the attack on the Nation’s security agencies, describing the act as mindless and most barbaric.

The CPS says, a letter personally signed by Governor Dickson has already been dispatched to the Chief of Army Staff to express the heartfelt condolences of the Government and people of the State.

The Bayelsa State Governor also assured the families of the slain officers that, their loved ones and benefactors did not die in vain, noting that, they died as gallant officers, while in active service to their fatherland and prayed for the repose of their souls.

The State Government, however, urged Bayelsans not to despair, as it will continue to do everything within its powers to stem the new wave of insecurity being orchestrated by a click of mindless and disgruntled politicians, who want to wrest power by all means from Governor Seriake Dickson.

Some gunmen, in four speed boats, sacked the base of the Joint Task Force,JTF,killing four soldiers and one Police man at their base in Nembe and carted away their weapons.