Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Contrary to some reports that a Bayelsa State Government House photographer, Reginald Dei, was killed by gunmen dressed in military uniform, it was confirmed, yesterday, that he is actually alive but in critical condition.
Dei and Mr Seidougha Taribi were shot at Oweikorogha community, in Southern Ijaw local government area of the state, during the presidential and National Assembly elections, last Saturday.
While both were initially declared dead by eye-witness sources, Dei was said to have regain consciousness at the hospital in Yenagoa, before he relapsed into coma.
It was gathered that Dei was shot at the back and the bullet pierced his body; damaging some vital organs. He has since been placed on life support while doctors are battling to stabilise him as arrangements are being made to fly him out of the state for proper medical treatment.
“He needs to be flown abroad and it must be done urgently.
“We sympathise with the family of Dei and we will do everything possible to save his life” said a member of the government medical council.
Commissioner of Information, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson and members of the government media team have reportedly have visited him in hospital.
Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, at a media briefing in Yenagoa, yesterday, sympathised with the family of the deceased and that of Dei, and promised that those who shot them would not go scot-free.