Samuel Oyadongha
9 May 2008
Lagos — UNKNOWN people yesterday threw a dynamite into the Bayelsa State Secretariat of the PDP in Yenagoa just 48 hours ahead of the flag-off of campaigns for the re-run governorship election in the state.
The explosive damaged a section of the two-storey Destiny House on Treasure Garden Hotel Road in the densely populated suburb of Yenizue-Gene. Time was 1 a.m.
The office of the PDP Women Leader in the state, Mrs. Nengi Ebitimi, was particularly impacted. The dynamite threw out some windows and caused a crater where it landed.
A police team raced to the scene, moments after the blast.
Some residents of the area told Vanguard the explosion was heralded by gunshots ostensibly from the invaders to discourage any possible resistance from neighbours as well as to divert the attention of the security men in front of the sprawling complex.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but Vanguard learnt that it may have been carried out by some mischief makers with a view to creating an air of insecurity and discourage President Umaru Yar'Adua and Vice President Goodluck Jonathan from leading a high powered PDP delegation to the state capital for the flag off of campaign of Chief Sylva slated for tomorrow.
When Vanguard visited the party secretariat, a team of policemen was sighted within the premises while others were stationed at the entrance of the complex.
Also, shattered window panes, railings, ceilings and electronics littered the office of the party's Woman Leader with some smashed wood hanging dangerously on the strength of the overwhelming impact.
Secretary of the party, Mr James Agary, who conducted Vanguard round the devastated portion of the building said the explosive, which was hauled into the party secretariat, landed inside the office of Mrs. Ebitimi on the second floor before it went off.
Describing the action of the invaders as disturbing, he said it was to create a false sense of insecurity as well as instill fear in the minds of the party chieftains that would be coming to the state tomorrow to flag off Chief Sylva's campaign.
Mr. Agary who said the party was yet to settle the debt incurred from a similar attack about two years ago pleaded with Bayelsans to give peace a chance, saying the state could not afford to be plunged into chaos especially now that Bayelsans were more concerned with the development of the state.
Contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Julian Okpaleke, confirmed the incident, saying although no arrest had been made, the matter was being investigated.
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