Buhari, Jonathan Condemn Otuoke Attack

President Muhammadu Buhari has sympathised with  former President of Nigeria’ Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday over an attack at his predecessor’s residence in Otuoke, Bayelsa state.

Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu disclosed this in a statement  saying that Buhari condoled with Jonathan and those affected by the incident.

A soldier on guard  was shot dead when gunmen invaded the ex-president’s residence.

“President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday put a call to former President Goodluck Jonathan to sympathize with him following an attack by gunmen on his Otuoke, Bayelsa State country residence,” Shehu said in a statement.

“In the telephone conversation, President Buhari expressed sadness over the “tragic and unfortunate attack,” during which a gallant soldier lost his life.

“While commending the soldiers on guard for bravely repelling the attack, the President condoled with family members as well as officers and men of the Nigerian Army over the loss of one of the guards.

“President Buhari assured that the protection of the life of the former leader and all citizens of the country will continue to be the major preoccupation of his administration.”

It was reported earlier in the day that there was pandemonium in Otuoke community , even as the residents of the former president was also attacked in the crisis.

However   , ex President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the attack and killing of a soldier .

Jonathan who was not in Otuoke at the time of the attack however returned to his village early this morning to assess the situation himself.

According to a statement made by his media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, the former president who condemned the attack urged security authorities to swing into action and bring the culprits to book.

“Dr. Jonathan promptly condemned the attack and reassured his people that there was no cause for alarm.

“The former president has also condoled with family of the deceased soldier, the military and has urged the concerned security authorities to swing into action and bring the culprits to book,” the statement read in part.

According to an eyewitness, the attackers came to the former president’s house, having gained access to the area through a nearby river on speedboats and succeeded in killing one of the soldiers who were on guard duty.

The eyewitness revealed: “Armed men who came in about five boats attacked the home of former president Jonathan.

“A security officer attached to the former president was killed and about three of the gunmen were shot dead.”