Explosion in PDP secretariat
By FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa
Friday, May 9, 2008
Forty-eight hours to the flag-off of campaign for the governorship
election re-run in Bayelsa State, a dynamite explosion has
rocked the state secretariat of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
situated at Yenezue-Gene, along Mbiama/Yenagoa road.
Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan and other PDP bigwigs are
expected to grace the flag-off ceremony billed for the Yenagoa
Sports Complex tomorrow.
Though no casualty was recorded, the explosion caused a huge
damage to the office of the women leader and that of the secretary
to the state chairman, located on the first floor of the building.
Investigations revealed that the dynamite was thrown into
the building through the window of the women leader’s
office.
A security man, who pleaded anonymity, said he was on duty
with some policemen when the explosion occurred.
According to him, they heard a loud bang and ran to the back
of the building only to see that the windows of the first
floor had been shattered.
“It was around 1.30 am and I was outside with some policemen
when we heard a loud bang. Immediately, we moved to the back
of the building and saw the shattered windows.
When we got to the first floor, we saw that the office of
the women leader was greatly affected. We reported to the
Police and the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Area Commander
and Divisional Police Officer of Ekeki division were all here,”
he said.
At the secretariat, shattered glasses and broken roof and
wood littered what used to be the office of the women leader.
Also, the roof of the corridor that leads to the office of
the chairman was affected.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Ininbong Ibokette,
confirmed the story and said the police had swung into action.
“Yes, there was a minor explosion at the PDP secretariat.
There was no casualty and the damage was minimal. Top police
chiefs have already visited the scene to ascertain the level
of destruction. But already we have commenced investigations,”
he said.
Ibokette assured people of the state that as political activities
were rising, in the build up to the governorship election
re-run, there was no cause for alarm as the police were capable
of protecting life and property.
According to him, the police were already on red alert to
deal with troublemakers and would not spare any group that
attempts to breach peace and security in the state.
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