How Dakuku Peterside escaped death, Wike's Chief of Staff arrested

Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), narrowly escaped death on Sunday, March 20 afternoon, after his vehicle was attacked by gunmen in two utility vehicles on his way from the Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers state.


In a statement issued by Sylvester Asoya, the special assistant on Media to Dr Dakuku, he said: “Peterside, who was in his car with Chief [Dr] Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, Rivers state All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman and Hon. HO Asita, deputy governorship candidate of the APC at the April 2015 election, said they escaped the assassins bullets by a stroke of luck.

“Two Jeeps belonging to Emeka Woke, Governor Nyesom Wike’s Chief of Staff, were carrying two unknown gunmen, who trailed us to UTC Junction and opened fire on my car. Our car however made a detour to first Aba road, then old GRA with the two jeeps still trailing us. We drove to the DSS office to seek refuge and on getting to the gate of the DSS, the unknown gunmen opened fire again at the SSS men on guard.

“The exchange of fire between the DSS men and the assailants lasted for more than 30 minutes. In the course of exchange of fire, my police detail Cpl Emma Esi, was shot at and seriously injured. This is a very ugly experience, but I thank God that my colleagues and I escaped unhurt. “When the DSS men demobilised the two jeeps, we found out that the man at the back of the car, who was ostensibly identifying us to the assailants is Wike’s Chief of staff, Emeka Woke. He has been arrested by the DSS. “Today’s experience is not only terrifying, but also shows the parlous state of security in Rivers State.

If I can be engaged openly by gunmen for nearly an hour in the heart of Port Harcourt, only God knows the fate that will befall members of our party and those sympathetic to our predicament. What is happening today in our dear state is not only horrible, but also constitutes serious national security risk.” Peterside who was Wike’s opponent in last year’s governorship election in Rivers State, added that it is now evident that the governor wants to kill him, and that he is prepared to do everything possible to eliminate him.