Man Remanded, 7 On The Run As Minister Escapes Assassination

An assassination plot targetting the minister of state for petroleum,Senator Heineken Lokpobiri was foiled over the last New Year holidays according to a police report filed at a magistrate court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

According to a report in Vanguard, the Magistrate’s Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has ordered the remand of a 35-year-old man, Susaine Morgan, over an alleged assassination attempt on the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri on new year day.

The suspect is also facing charges of unlawful possession of two assault rifles (AK-47).

He was reportedly apprehended at Lokpobiri’s residence in Ekeremor town, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State where the assassination plot was discovered.

The remand warrant, issued by the state Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, and filed by Police Prosecutor, Stella Jerry-Friday, was approved to allow the suspect’s detention for 30 days at Okaka prison.

This is to enable the investigating team of the police to track and arrest six others now at large.

The charge sheet read: “The defendant was arrested on January 1, 2025, at Senator Lokpobiri’s residence for conspiring with others to commit armed robbery, attempted kidnapping, and for being in possession of two AK-47 rifles.”

The police prosecutor explained that the request for suspect remand was necessary due to the limited power of the police to detain the suspect without a court order.

“The suspect’s detention will prevent interference with the ongoing investigation, especially as six other suspects remain at large,” a police source said.

According to security report on the foiled assassination, seven of the suspects gained access into Lokpobiri’s residence by mingling with the crowd of visitors who came to pay homage.

But information got to the military personnel stationed at the residence of the presence of armed persons among the visitors.

“Due to the large crowd, the soldiers could not open fire but ordered everyone to lie down. It was only the arrested suspect, who was with the bag conveying the weapon, that got arrested. Others mingled with the crowd and escaped,” the source stated.

The other suspects reportedly fired shots as they fled the community, attacked a filling station and carted away N400,000.

With additional reports from Vanguard

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG