More details of the lethal attack on the country home of former Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan by unknown gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday have continued to emerge as Nigerians express shock over the motive behind such brazen invasion.

A family source confirmed to Vanguard in Abuja that the former president was not at the Otueke home (Bayelsa state) when the gunmen struck around 3am on Tuesday.

The family member told Vanguard that Jonathan left Otueke for his Yenagoa home just before midnight, having visited the village three times on Monday.

“The gunmen assumed that he was in the Otueke residence having seen him visiting thrice on Monday till late. His movements confused the assailants,” the close associate of former president said.

“The gunmen, who came with many motorized boats, were heavily armed but were intercepted by soldiers at the river bank linking the home. But they shot and killed one of the soldiers instantly while one is in critical condition.

“But the soldiers fought back and killed no fewer than two of the attackers whose bodies were taken away by the fleeing gunmen,” the family member added.

Credit: Vanguard Nigeria