Attack On Politicians: Gunmen Invade Turner’s Residence …As AC Calls For State Of Emergency

The orgy of violent attacks on the homes of top political office holders and politicians in Bayelsa State on Thursday continued with the invasion of the private residence of a close associate of President Goodluck Jonathan, His Royal Highness, Johnny Turner at his home town, Opueme in Ogbia Local Government Area.

Chief Turner, who is also the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Inland Waterways, was said to be away when the hoodlums struck. 

During the attack, the unknown gunmen allegedly seized the service assault rifle of a policeman on duty.

The Tide gathered that the attack was carried out by five men in a convoy of two cars at about 2.30 am.

A visit to the home of the former Permanent Secretary in the State Civil Service and the pioneer Executive Secretary of the Yenagoa Capital City Development Authority (CCDA), showed that the gunmen gained entrance into the building by scaling the fence of the adjacent Community Comprehensive School.

The invaders surprised the security men on duty, including one Benjamin Einighe, who claimed to be the Chief Security Officer of the building and two other policemen whose A.K 47 rifle and tear gas guns were taken away after they had been tied to a stake.

According to the CSO, the armed men asked about the whereabouts of the owner of the house and where he kept his money.

“But when we told them that Oga was in Abuja and that there was no money in the building, they proceeded to search the whole building and left with some things, we didn’t know’’.

When contacted, Chief Turner, who said he was in Abuja at the time of the incident, said he got the message about the attack but that he “has handed everything to God”.

He expressed wonder as to why anyone would want to attack his house, saying that he had informed the state Police Commissioner, Elder Onuoha Udenka about the incident.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Eguavoen Omokpae, confirmed that the command had been informed, but that the details of the incident were not immediately available.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Action Congress (AC)through its Chairman, Comrade Miriki Ebikibina said repeated invasion and attack of the homes of politicians and cult killings in the state, which had led to the death of about twelve persons, “is not only terrifying, but also shocking, barbaric and unacceptable.