Three persons were reported dead in Ekeremor, in Bayelsa State in a shootout between youths and members of the Joint Military Task Force on Saturday.
The incident took place as President Goodluck Jonathan left his country home in Bayelsa State on Saturday without being accredited following the postponement of the National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Our correspondent learnt that the killing happened about 8am along the waterways of Ekeremor.
The hoodlums, who shot several bullets into the air, were said to be out to disrupt the elections when they ran into the gunboat of the JTF.
It was learnt that on sighting the security operatives, the gangsters fired at the gunboat thereby forcing the JTF to retaliate.
The security operatives were said to have rained the speedboat with bullets, tearing it apart and killing about three of the hoodlums.
It was further learnt that among those killed in the incident was an official of the State Security Service who was reportedly hit by a stray bullet on the bank of the river.
Some of the youths who sustained various degrees of injuries were said to have disappeared into the water.
It was also learnt that some youths also attacked an unidentified person at Ekeremor town killing him machetes.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emokpae Eguavoen, confirmed that there was a shootout at the community, but said that no death arising from machete cuts was reported to the police.
Eguavoen also refused to confirm the casualties recorded in the incident, saying information was still sketchy.
The spokesman for the JTF, Lt. Col. Timothy Antigha, said investigation into the matter was on, adding that information available to him was sketchy.
Jonathan had arrived in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area, on Friday night to participate in the elections at a polling unit where he did his voter registration.
Residents of the area gathered around the polling unit 8am waiting patiently to catch a glimpse of the president and to also discharge their responsibility of selecting their federal lawmakers.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that voters in Yenagoa, the state capital, and other surrounding local government areas consisting of Sagbama, Kaiama waited in vain for materials.
The disturbed President reportedly contacted the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, demanding an explanation.
Jega was said to have disclosed the cause of the delay to the President and his plan to put off the election through national broadcast.
Shortly after the broadcast, Jonathan boarded a presidential jet to Abuja
The incident took place as President Goodluck Jonathan left his country home in Bayelsa State on Saturday without being accredited following the postponement of the National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Our correspondent learnt that the killing happened about 8am along the waterways of Ekeremor.
The hoodlums, who shot several bullets into the air, were said to be out to disrupt the elections when they ran into the gunboat of the JTF.
It was learnt that on sighting the security operatives, the gangsters fired at the gunboat thereby forcing the JTF to retaliate.
The security operatives were said to have rained the speedboat with bullets, tearing it apart and killing about three of the hoodlums.
It was further learnt that among those killed in the incident was an official of the State Security Service who was reportedly hit by a stray bullet on the bank of the river.
Some of the youths who sustained various degrees of injuries were said to have disappeared into the water.
It was also learnt that some youths also attacked an unidentified person at Ekeremor town killing him machetes.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emokpae Eguavoen, confirmed that there was a shootout at the community, but said that no death arising from machete cuts was reported to the police.
Eguavoen also refused to confirm the casualties recorded in the incident, saying information was still sketchy.
The spokesman for the JTF, Lt. Col. Timothy Antigha, said investigation into the matter was on, adding that information available to him was sketchy.
Jonathan had arrived in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area, on Friday night to participate in the elections at a polling unit where he did his voter registration.
Residents of the area gathered around the polling unit 8am waiting patiently to catch a glimpse of the president and to also discharge their responsibility of selecting their federal lawmakers.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that voters in Yenagoa, the state capital, and other surrounding local government areas consisting of Sagbama, Kaiama waited in vain for materials.
The disturbed President reportedly contacted the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, demanding an explanation.
Jega was said to have disclosed the cause of the delay to the President and his plan to put off the election through national broadcast.
Shortly after the broadcast, Jonathan boarded a presidential jet to Abuja
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