Tension In Bayelsa …Over Ex-Militant’s Murder

Tension and uneasy calm have engulfed Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital following the killing last Saturday of a popular ex-militant leader and former House of Assembly aspirant, Albert Ebi, popularly called Commander Ebi.

The ex-militant leader who hails from Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area of the state was shot dead along with one of his lieutenants.

The incident immediately raised tension within the state as people scampered for safety while the gunshots lasted.

The slain ex-militant commander, according to sources, was travelling in a white Hilux jeep with Rivers State registration number accompanied with a police orderly and one of his lieutenants when the unidentified gunmen overtook their vehicle at a point in Ebi Road within Yenagoa, and immediately opened fire on them.

Ebi and his lieutenant died on the spot while the  police orderly said to have sustained serious bullet injuries was rushed to Gloryland Hospital.

Minutes after the incident, Operation FAMOU TAMGBEI,  the state internal security outfit arrived the scene and cordoned off the whole area for security reasons but their efforts paid no dividend as the assassins escaped before their arrival.

The state Commissioner of Police, Musa Aliye confirmed the incident in  a telephone interview.

The Tide learnt that Ebi was once arrested in connection with a shooting incident of Labour Party gubernatorial candidate, Timi Alaiabe, some months ago, but he escaped from the police while being treated in a hospital as a result of the  injury he sustained during that attack.

Ebi was said to have fallen out with a top government functionary whom he accused of dumping him after the incident.

Another ex-militant who participated in the same attack was also killed in a similar circumstance.

Observers, however, are questioning how Ebi, declared wanted by the police got a police escort.

Governor Amaechi and aides controlling traffic in Port Harcourt