Chris Ejim, Yenagoa
GUNMEN on Tuesday night attacked the Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa State Governor on Conflict Resolution, Comrade Michael Wenibowei, in Yenagoa, the state capital, and shot dead his aide, suspected to be his bodyguard.
Wenibowei, who is still recuperating from the injuries he sustained in last year’s gun attack on his Yenagoa home, escaped death by the whiskers, as the bullets fired by the attackers missed him.
The incident, which happened again around his home on Barrat Road in the state capital, threw the entire neighbourhood into confusion, as those hanging-out in the numerous relaxation spots along the road ran in various directions for their lives.
Bar operators and other shop owners in the area hurriedly locked up their shops to avoid stray bullets.
Eyewitnesses told the Nigerian Compass yesterday that the gunmen, numbering about five, positioned themselves close to Wenibowei’s home and opened fire on him immediately they saw him entering the house.
Although the bullets missed their main target, one of the special assistant’s aides, who was said to be walking behind him was not too lucky as the bullets hit on the head. He died on the spot.
The attackers reportedly escaped through the Isaac Boro Road in a car parked some distance away from their victim’s home.
Contacted, the state police spokesman, Eguavoen Omokpai, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said although he was aware of the incident, but was yet to get an official briefing on it.
Wenibowei, who is also a former Chairman of the Central Zone of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), was first attacked in June 2009 by some gunmen.
This led to the arrest of three former national executive members of the IYC, including the two former presidents - Dr. Felix Tuodolor and Comrade Wenfie JonJon – as well as a former National Vice President and Special Adviser to the Governor on Mobilisation and Youth Matters, Mr. Famous Danemugha.
