Gunmen suspected to be hired assassins yesterday allegedly invaded the home of the former member of the National Assembly, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, at Ekeki Estate in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in an attempt to take his life.
Senator Amange who represented Bayelsa East Senatorial District from 2007 to 2011 under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was said to have survived the attack that lasted over two hours.
According to an eyewitness account, the incident occurred around 2 pm on Tuesday with two armed men wielding AK 47 rifles scaling through the fence at the back of his house with the aid of a stool.
While some residents attributed the incident to the rising insecurity in the state capital some claimed that it may have been politically motivated.
ALSO READ:Â Â BREAKING: APC postpones Bayelsa governorship primary to Saturday
Senator Amange, who confirmed the development on the telephone, however, said he is yet to discover where the attack is coming from but that the gunmen struck with the conviction that he was at home.
“According to report from those at home, they jumped into my compound from the back. One of the armed men was masked while the other revealed his face as they carried out the attack.
“When they entered and discovered I was not at home, they decided to ransack everywhere. And jumped out from where they came in.”
It was further gathered that the gunmen abandoned the long stool with which they scaled the fence.
Amange also confirmed to newsmen that a similar incident had occurred about three weeks ago, with gunmen gaining access into his compound at noon and ordering the security guard at the gate to lead them in.
According to him, Â “the small gate was opened and the men walked in wielding assault rifles and held my gateman hostage with order that he lead them to where I am.
“The man was leading them to the main house when he bolted away and started shouting for help. The men ran outside into waiting vehicles and left.”
Bariagh-Amange said he has filed a report at the Ekeki Division of the State Police Command and have asked his lawyers to file a complaint to the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Security of alleged fear for his life.
He, however, said he can not trace the recent breach of his home to anyone or group of persons.