Court remands 35-year-old alleged assassination attempt on petroleum minister Lokpobiri

A Magistrate Court sitting in Yenagoa has ordered the remand of a 35-year-old man, Susaine Morgan, over an alleged attempt to assassinate the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri.
The alleged incident occurred in Ekeremor town, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The Magistrate approved the remand at the Correctional Service Centre in Okaka for 30 days, following a request filed by the Police Prosecutor, ASP Stella A. Jerry-Friday, to facilitate further investigations and apprehend six other suspects who are currently at large.

The suit, with reference number YMC/51C/2025, accused Morgan of conspiracy, armed robbery, attempted kidnapping, and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to the charges, “the defendant was arrested in the afternoon of 1st January 2025 at Senator Heineken Lokpobiri’s residence in Ekeremor Town, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, for offenses of conspiracy, armed robbery, attempted kidnapping, and unlawful possession of firearms (two AK-47 rifles).”

A security report revealed that the seven assailants exploited Yuletide’s visits to blend into the large crowd at the minister’s residence.

However, the plan was foiled when security agents received intelligence about dangerous individuals among the visitors.

“They had gained entry before information filtered to the armed military personnel that some individuals were armed and dangerous among the visitors,” a police source who spoke with TheSun said.

Security personnel ordered the crowd to lie down, resulting in Morgan’s arrest when he was found carrying a bag containing firearms. The other suspects escaped by mingling with the crowd.

After evading capture, the remaining suspects reportedly caused chaos in the community.

“They started shooting inside the community and attacked a filling station in anger, making away with a sum of ₦400,000,” the report noted.

The suspects also invaded the town’s waterfront, snatching a speedboat to facilitate their escape.

The report has it that Morgan has made “useful statements” identifying the other suspects involved in the plot. Investigators are intensifying efforts to track and arrest the fugitives.