Gunmen attacked the residence of two top politicians in Rivers State with explosive devices believed to be dynamite on Thursday night and the wee hour of Friday, The PUNCH reports.

One of the attacked residences belongs to a former Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Dr Tamunosis Gogo-Jaja, while the other is the residence of the All Progressives Congress candidate for Etche State Constituency, Hon. Charles Anyanwu.

The attacks came less than 48 hours after twin explosions rocked the residence of the
Social Democratic Party’s House of Representatives candidate, Hon Tony Bombs; the Atlantic Television Network and Wish FM 99.5.

Though the details of the attack on Dr Gogo-Jaja’s residence are sketchy, a viral video showed the ex-commissioner interrogating a suspect who was bleeding and writhing in pain.

The arrested suspect and his co-assailants, who drove in a black Hilux van without a plate number, had invaded the Gogo-Jaja’s residence but luck ran out on one as vigilant security operatives were on the ground.

In the viral video, the former commissioner could be heard interrogating the suspect, berating him that he was sent by 2am to come to his house to destroy him and his family.

He said, “You came to my house by 2 am. They sent you to come and destroy me and my family?

“Rivers people, this is one of those who came to explode dynamite in my house. Look at it. They came here with a black Hilux without number.

“They didn’t know that my security men were on alert because of the incessant dynamite they had been throwing. Now this one. This happened eight minutes after 2am in my house. My name is Tamunosis Gogo-Jaja.”

The suspect, who was seen rolling on the ground in pain, replied saying, “I am dying. I can no longer see you people.”

Speaking to newsmen, the APC candidate, Hon. Ayanwu said gunmen attacked his house in Ulako in Etche LGA on Thursday night with dynamites.

He stated that his security guard at about 11pm informed him that some people wanted to see him.

The state assembly hopeful however said he flew into the bush when the assailants brought out guns, accusing the Peoples Democratic Party of masterminding the attack.

He explained that “They (the assailants) went inside my house, also put dynamite there and exploded everything and left. We really can’t tell now, but I know this act is from the PDP.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest of a suspect, saying a statement will be released soon.

*Text, except headline, courtesy of THE PUNCH