Gunmen Kill Journalist In Bayelsa

Gunmen yesterday killed a journalist with the Bayelsa State-owned Glory FM 97.1, Mr. Famous Giobaro.

Giobaro was shot dead in his residence on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Road, Kpasia in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Asinim Butswat, said the command was yet to get the full detail of Giobaro’s killings. A witness said the gunmen stormed Giobaro’s apartment about 5 a.m. on Sunday and shot him point blank in the stomach.

The attackers had gained access into the compound after scaling the fence with a ladder. They went straight to Giobaro’s kitchen door, shot at it and pulled it down to enter the journalist’s bedroom.

Two unidentified men, who slept in the apartment with Giobaro, were said to have hidden in the wardrobe and toilet when the gunmen entered.

The attackers did not steal anything and they did not attack other occupants of the building, which is a bungalow, triggering speculations they could be assassins.

In its response, the state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) described Gioboro’s killing as shocking. The NUJ Chairman, Mr. John Angese and Secretary, Mr. Stanley Imgbi said Giobaro’s death was a huge loss to the union.

The union asked the police to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators act to book. Those who know the deceased took to the social media to mourn him. One of them, Sorgwe Bright, wrote on his Facebook wall: “Famous Giobaro, may your soul rest in perfect peace. Adieu.”

Another commentator, Wilfred John, wrote: “I urge all Ogbia Kingdom youths to give a minute silence to our strongman on radio, the Dologbodologbo 1 of Emaguo and Kungbo Kingdom, Hon. Dr. Famous Giobaro, who died early hours of today (yesterday). May his gentle soul rest in peace.”