The Rivers State Government has identified the suspect behind the recent explosion in the city.
A university graduate and resident of Port Harcourt, Josiah Preye, has been named as the individual responsible for the incident.
According to a statement released by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Preye is a known supporter of Minister Nyesom Wike and was spotted participating in a solidarity walk for the Minister on Tuesday.
The government has released footage showing Preye, wearing a mask, at the event and another video of him receiving medical attention in a hospital intensive care unit.
The motives behind the explosion and any potential links to political tensions in the state are still under investigation, according to Channels TV.
The state government backed its claim with a 50-second video showing a masked man, identified as the suspect, participating in the walk and a video of him in the intensive care unit of a medical facility.
According to the dtatement, ardent loyalists of the former Governor of Rivers State and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, on June 25, 2024, in the Day 2 of the pro-police protest to press home a smokescreen of the veiled narrative that they support the Nigeria Police Force decision to barricade and deny staff and officials of the third tier of government in the 23 local government areas access to their offices to perform their constitutional duties and advance democracy in the state and country.
Recall that the narrative was anchored on the agitation for tenure elongation by six months for the former elected local government chairmen and councillors, whose statutory three-year term had expired at midnight of June 17, 2024, and therefore, constitutionally barred from continuing to serve in that capacity, except their mandates are renewed through a fresh election, and are sworn-in again after taking a new oath of office administered by appropriate judicial officer.
“But for a group, which claimed that they were on the side of the law, and embarking on ‘peaceful’ protest in support of law enforcement agents, to hire, empower and embolden thugs, suicide bombers, cultists, anarchists, and all manner of criminals, does not add up.
“This is Josiah Preye, hired together with other thugs, cultists, anarchists, and violent extremists, all sponsored by the likes of former Speaker, state House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule; member representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, former Obio/Akpor Local Government Council chairman, Barrister George Ariolu; Chief of Staff to FCT Minister, Chidi Amadi; President General of GDI, Bright Amaewhule; Timothy alias General Whosky; among others; who are all core unrepentant loyalists of Nyesom Wike,” the statement partly reads.
Furthermore, Preye was said to be a part of the protest on the first day of the protest. he was spotted in a video carrying improvised explosive device, with specific instructions on how to use, where and when to detonate the device.
“He is one, among others, in the crowd paid by the sponsors of the evil protest to cause anarchy and chaos in the state with the major aim of justifying their call for a state of emergency in Rivers State, so that they can usurp power from the back door, since they know that Rivers people have rejected them in their various positions.
“Again, their ploy was to create pandemonium with the explosive device while they matched the streets to demand for tenure elongation for local government chairmen who had served out their statutory three-year tenure.
“They chose near Hotel Presidential on the very busy Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, where some Senators and House of Representatives committee members on oversight functions in the State were lodging, to detonate the device but it failed. Nemesis rather caught up with Josiah Preye, and the explosive device caused severe harm and injuries to the hunter – Josiah Preye. The hunter is now hunted, Josiah Preye is now battling with karma, and the God who sees the hearts of the wicked and unleashes vengeance against their evil plots, is fighting for the innocents and real law-abiding citizens and liberated residents of the state,” the statement further revealed.
Meanwhile. security agencies have been urged to act fast and bring all those involved in the failed bombing in Port Harcourt to face justice.
