‘Bayelsa’ll protect Patience Jonathan’

Patience Jonathan
| credits: File copy

THE Bayelsa State Government has assured the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan, and other Nigerians expected to attend the proposed grand rally of the Peoples Democratic Party on February 5 of their security.

The government was responding to reports of some groups barring Patience Jonathan from accompanying her husband to the Bayelsa rally.

Two groups – Bayelsa Youth Vanguard and the Mangrove Boys of Bayelsa – had on different occasions warned Patience to steer clear of the state on February 5.

They had warned that if she dared them and attend the rally, she would be thoroughly disgraced.

In a statement by the Media Aide to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, on Wednesday, the state government said the various security agencies were already on full alert to deal decisively with any act of lawlessness, brigandage and mischief.

It warned that any individual or group found to have perpetrated such acts, whether before, during or after the rally would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

It noted that the government would not relent in the performance of its duties by ensuring the provision of adequate security as well as the protection of the lives and property of all residents of the state.

The government said it would do exactly the same, even on February 5, 2015.

It went further to reassure the President’s wife and every member of her delegation of their safety, urging them to disregard the reports.

Our correspondent learnt that security agencies had launched investigations to unmask identities of youths behind repeated threats to attack Patience.

It was learnt on Wednesday that the police and the Department of State Service had begun investigation to track persons issuing the threat.

A security source, who pleaded anonymity, said the headquarters of the two security agencies were taking the matter seriously.

“They have started their investigations from Abuja and very soon, they will establish the veracity of the threats,” he said.