‘General Ogunboss’ Bayelsa ex-militant leader’s residence bombed

The residence of one of the foremost Bayelsa ex-militant leaders, Mr. Eris Paul, popularly known as ‘General’ Ogunboss, has been bombed.

The attack was said to have been carried out by four unidentified men about 12pm on Thursday with an improvised explosive device.

The IED, according to the aides of the ex-militant leader, was thrown into the premises from the right side of the building.

The aides said the incident occurred while Ogunboss was relaxing with fellow ex-militants in front of the house.

It was learnt that the attack left the swimming pool area of the house destroyed with lamps and tiles shattered.

The men of the Nigerian Air Force, residing at the next building to the ex-militant leader, have restricted vehicular movement in the area due to the attack.

It was further learnt that the explosion, which caught the ex-militant leader and his followers unaware, prompted a hot chase of the attackers on foot.

But the chase did not yield result as the attackers escaped.

The incident was, however, to have triggered renewed tension among the ex-militant youths over their position to reject the state government posture on the awarded Oil pipeline Surveillance contract by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company.

Ogunboss, while confirming the incident, said, “Two days ago, one of my followers escaped assassination. Some strange faces were in his home on Wednesday night. They were masked and armed with AK47 rifles.

“They manhandled the wife, but the husband escaped. I asked him to go and report at Akenfa Police Station. While we are waiting, this explosion occurred.”

Spokesman for the Bayelsa Police Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, said the distress call received from the residence of the ex-militant leader was that of a fire incident.

“We got a distress call at about 10.20pm on a fire outbreak at Ogunboss’ residence and the state security outfit, Doo Akpo, and the fire service were mobilised to the scene. The fire was put out,” he said.