THE new year began on a bloody note in Port Harcourt early yesterday after gunmen attacked two police stations and the famous Presidential Hotel in the city, killing at least 16 people, seven of them policemen. A petrol tanker also exploded in the city, razing 30 houses and displacing scores of families.
Some of the victims of the gun attack were on their way back home from new year church service, and warlord Ateke Tom who has claimed responsibility for the attacks says he will kill more.
Famous gospel artiste and West African Idol award winner, Timi Dakolo, was wounded in the attack.
He was shot as he left the Presidential Hotel after a performance.
The attack came 24 hours after the Rivers State Government lifted the curfew in the city. The gunmen first struck at the Borokiri Police Headquarters, using dynamites which burnt a jeep and dislocated an armoured personnel carrier.
Thick dry blood, apparently of the policemen, smeared the major road, in front of the station, while bullet holes on walls showed the extent of the attack. Damaged vehicles littered the place, causing the security men to block the road, diverting traffic to other streets.
The Trans-Amadi Police Headquarters was said to have lost two men. �One of them died instantly while the other one was carried half-dead to the hospital and we are hearing that he died about an hour ago,� one police officer who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard.
A massive exchange of fire ensued between the rampaging gunmen and mobile policemen attached to the Presidential Hotel when the brigands attempted to gain entry into the prestigious resort.
Police Commissioner confirms attacks
The Police Commissioner in the state, Mr Felix Ogbaudu, said the militants launched the attack between midnight and 3 a.m. They attacked the Borokiri and Trans-Amadi Police stations.
�At the Borokiri station, three policemen were killed in a shoot-out with the militants. Seven civilians who were either returning from church or milling around their neighbourhoods were also killed,� he said.
The Commissioner said the police killed some of the militants, recovered three assault rifles and one machine gun from them, adding that the militants abandoned three vehicles with which they operated.
Ogbaudu said at the Trans-Amadi Police Station, one Police Inspector was killed when same militants opened fire on the station. He said the militants also attacked Presidential Hotel and opened fire on the hotel�s lobby, killing a security man and wounding several others.
�We are still collating the casualty figure, but it was indeed a bloody new year eve in Port Harcourt,� Ogbaudu said.
Worried by the development Governor Chibuike Amaechi, summoned a security meeting to review the security situation in the state.
A similar event occurred last April when militants attacked the Mini Okoro and Elelenwo police stations in Port Harcourt and killing seven policemen.
In August and on December 25, 2007, militants destroyed the Okrika police station with dynamite, while three policemen were killed when militants attacked the Akinima police station in the Ahoada West Local Government area of Rivers.
Ateke Tom claims responsibility
The Ateke Tom-led Niger Delta Vigilante claimed responsibility for the New Year day attack. Its spokesman, A.E. Pere said: �The Niger Delta Vigilante is claiming responsibility for all the attacks on the military and the destruction of government property and oil installations in the state.
These include the one that took place this morning. Our actions are predicated on the renewed zeal of the Niger Delta people to fight against the oppression and injustices meted to our people by the Nigerian state. This has become our last resort since the government has decided to truncate the peace accord.
�We as a people prefer to die fighting for the liberation of our people than to watch this oppression extend to our children yet unborn. The NDV will not relent in this renewed quest to fight injustice until the demands of our people are met.
�Even as we fight for this cause, we will start from ourselves. It on this premise that the presence of (Governor Rotimi) Amaechi in Brick House (Port Harcourt) is an injustice against our people because this man did not contest the April governorship election.
“The governorship ticket is not transferable under the constitution, so we demand that, since (Sir Celestine) Omehia�s ticket was faulty, the election should be annulled and fresh elections be conducted. We demand a speedy action by the FG to ensure the release of Henry Okar who is awaiting trial in Angola for a crime he never committed.
�The government, through the JTF should, as matter of policy, stop the incessant attacks on our leaders. If these things are not addressed urgently we advise that all foreigners should quit the region, as we will not guarantee their safety,� he said.
Army blames attacks on lifting of curfew
The army PRO and spokesman for the JTF in the state, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, also confirmed the attack, saying an army captain who was recently transferred from 73 Battalion was caught in the cross fire.
He is receiving treatment at the Military Hospital in the state capital.
His words: �At about 12:45 a.m. on January 1, 2008, militants numbering about 22 , armed with GPMG, AK-47 rifles, RPGs, Baret rifles and dynamites stormed Port Harcourt city, attacked Presidential Hotel, killed a civilian guard, wounded one person who is receiving treatment at the Military Hospital.
�They also shattered glasses at the main entrance of Presidential Hotel, attacked two Police stations.
At the Trans Amadi Police Station, they killed one Police Inspector, one Policeman was wounded and a 25-year-old mentally-deranged person was killed. At Borikiri Police Station, three Police men were shot dead. But the Police also killed six of the militants. Two civilians were killed.
�At Artillery junction, they injured one Policeman. Some items were recovered from the militants. They include dynamites, arms,� he said.
He said the curfew which was lifted only 24 hours before the attacks by the state governor might have contributed largely to the situation because, according to him, it weakened the security situation in the state. �Recent lifting of the curfew might have weakened security situation, and may have influenced the present menace,� he said, adding that no group had claimed responsibility. But when told that Ateke Tom had, in a phone interview, said he was behind it, Sagir said they were not surprised.
Sagir said the JTF had intensified patrol in the area. Asked if curfew should be re-introduced, he said it was the responsibility of the state government to do that. �It is the responsibility of the state government. Our role is advisory,� he said.
I will destroy Rivers State � Ateke Tom
Meanwhile, Ateke Tom in a telephone interview confirmed that his group was behind the attack.
The interview:
Vanguard: This is Vanguard on the line.
Ateke: I observe that you are putting your phone on speaker. Well, what do you want?
Vanguard: I want to be sure I am talking with Ateke before I continue.
Ateke: You are talking with the general himself. My voice may be different. For you to believe it is the general, I will remind you that the last time we spoke you advised against violence in the state.
You see, I handed down a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government.
And I had thought that there would be efforts on the part of government to douse tension. The seven days expired but I did not do anything because of pressure from many people against violence in the state.
But I realise now that the JTF wants to kill me. You are aware they came with helicopter some days ago and shot at different places in a bid to kill me. They even killed people in boats on the Bonny route going home for Christmas.
They used gun boats to kill innocent people that same time. So it is clear that they want to kill me. We came out yesterday night.
Vanguard: How many places did you attack?
All the places you heard were attacked. And I will continue this attack. Amaechi has given money to the JTF to kill me but they cannot get me. The JTF Commander can�t get me. He is a trained soldier but I am a born soldier. So I will fight him till he runs or I will kill him. Since Amaechi does not want peace, there will be no peace in the state.
Vanguard: Hope you know innocent people are being consumed in this your attacks?
Yes. They should ask Amaechi why he wants the innocent to continue to die in the state. Why can�t he maintain the peace as governor? I know it is the innocent that will continue to die but they too should rise up and tell the governor to cool down.
Vanguard: After this attack now, hope there will be ceasefire?
No, no. I will continue till they want peace. Me, I am ready for peace. You will remember I spent over one hundred million naira to promote peace in Okrika. I had expected government to support