According to Sun News, the Bayelsa State Government House Photographer, Reginald Dei, who was shot by gunmen in army uniform in Oweikorogha, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state during the last presidential and National Assembly elections is dead.
Dei a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who was been treated at the Glory Land Hospital where doctors were battling to keep him alive eventually died on Sunday night.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Communications, Governor’s Office, Chief Nathan Egba-Ologo, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the activities of the various security agencies in order to bring the culprits of the dastardly act to book.
He added that while the state was mourning the unfortunate murder of Taribi and Dei as a result of the brigandage that rocked parts of the state during the elections, thugs allegedly working for APC chieftains had been allowed to wreak havoc in Nembe- Bassambiri.
He said further that the rampaging thugs had sacked the mobile policemen and the operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on deployment in the besieged community.
Egba-Ologo called on the leadership of the Nigerian Army and the other security agencies to prevent brigandage and a breakdown of law and order in the area ahead of Saturday’s elections.
However, the APC has raised the alarm over attacks on its members and burning of their property by suspected PDP members in a reprisal attack over the death of Taribi and Dei.
The Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr Doifie Buokoribo, in a statement exonerated the party from the political violence which led to the shooting of Taribi and Dei, noting that they were caught in a cross-fire between soldiers and suspected PDP members that carted away electoral materials meant for Oweikorogha community.
Buokoribo who noted that the party “is concerned that the houses of our members and their relations have been burnt down in the community and property looted” added that “our members are also being hunted for possible assassination.”
He, therefore, called on security forces to urgently restore law and order in the community and protect innocent people.
Also, former Governor Timipre Sylva, has alerted security agencies over an alleged stock-piling of arms by the PDP across the eight local government areas ahead of Saturday’s House of Assembly election.
Sylva in a statement by his spokesman, Julius Bokoru, while dismissing reports of an attack on Nembe-Bassambiri, called on Bayelsans to remain resolute to vote for APC candidates to send a message to the PDP that they could no longer be intimidated.
Meanwhile, the Nembe Council of Chiefs have debunked reports of attacks in the community, warning politicians not to overheat the polity.
The spokesman of the Council of Chiefs, Chief Nengi James-Eriworio, said there was no security concern in the community.
