Posted by By FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa on
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.
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.