Breaking: Peterside Escapes Assassination Attempt, Says Governor Wike after his Life

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Sunday, March 20th, 2016

Port Harcourt, Rivers State (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Director General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, on Sunday narrowly escaped assassination in Port Harcourt, as some heavily armed men suspected to be working for a certain political party in River state opened fire on his vehicle, as well as engaged men of the Department of State Security Services, DSS operatives who over powered them in a gun battle.

The gallant DSS men, who succeeded in foiling the assassination attempt,were engaged in the gun battle by the alleged hired killers at UTC Junction, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, the River state capital.

One of the DSS operatives (names withheld) was said to have been hit in the leg by bullet.

However, one of the security details told newsmen that “We got information that PDP thugs want to swap results at the collation centre at Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local government area, and we mobilised to go and stop the thugs.

“On our way back to Port Harcourt, we noticed that a car was trailing us, at UTC junction, we decided to be sure of the people trailing us; the youths started shooting sporadically, My boss was hit.”

However, Dr. Dakuku, has confirmed the incident, saying that “i narrowly escaped death this afternoon after my vehicle was attacked by gunmen in two utility vehicles on my way from the Port Harcourt International Airport.”

According to a statement issued by Dakuku’s Special Assistant on Media, Sylvester Asoya,

“Peterside who was in his car with Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, Rivers State All Progressives Congress, APC Chairman and Hon H.O. Asita, Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC in April 2015 election escaped the assassins bullets by a stroke of luck.

He said: “Two Jeeps belonging to Emeka Woke, Nyesom Wike’s Chief of Staff carrying two unknown gunmen trailed us to UTC Junction and opened fire on my car.

“Our car however, did a detour to the DSS office gate where we drove to seek refuge but the unknown gunmen opened fire again at the SSS men on guard.

“The exchange of fire between the DSS men and the assailants lasted for more than 30 minutes.

“This is a very ugly experience, but I thank God that my colleagues and I escaped unhurt.

Today’s experience is not only terrifying but also shows the parlous state of security in Rivers State.

“If I can be engaged openly by gunmen for nearly an hour in the heart of Port Harcourt, only God knows the fate that will befall members of our party and those sympathetic to our predicament.

“What is happening today in our dear state is not only horrible but also constitutes serious national security risk.”

The NIMASA Boss, who was Wike’s opponent in the 2015 gubernatorial poll in Rivers State added that it was now evident that the governor wanted to kill him and that he was prepared to do everything possible to eliminate him

Following, the ugly incident, the DSS has arrested the Chief of Staff to Governor Wike, Mr. Emeka Woke, saying he has questions to answer over the attack.

Meanwhile, the military has reinforced to Dakuku’s country and Port Harcourt home.