As the re-run Bayelsa gubernatorial election in Southern Ijaw and other Local Government Areas in the state draws closer, five persons have been arrested over an alleged plot to attack the residence of immediate-past President Goodluck Jonathan.
It was gathered that the suspects were picked up in a hotel located in the Swali area of the state capital, Yenagoa.
They were identified as Asupha Emeka, 34; Ebipre Ebebi, 25; Samuel Joe, 27; Okilo Matthew, 25; Timiere Matthew, 25.
Confirming the arrest, the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat said the suspects were nabbed on a tipped-off.
“On the January 6, 2016, at about 1500hrs, based on a tip-off, detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Vice unit stormed a hotel premises in Swali community, Yenagoa, and arrested five suspects,” he said.
He did not specify whether they were planning to attack the ex-president’s house, but said investigation was on to determine the location where they were planning to launch an attack.
However, it was gathered that the suspects were thugs loyal to one of the major political parties in the state.
While it could not be ascertained why the suspected thugs were planning to attack Dr. Jonathan, it was gathered that it may not be unconnected with Saturday’s re-run election in the state.
A security source, who pleaded anonymity, said the alleged attack on Dr. Jonathan was being planned to give the impression that the opposition was after the president’s life.