Assassination attempt on President Ali fails after Nigerian National shot

– Security detail at State House stabbed during attack
– GPF engages Interpol on criminal record of suspect
– attack widely condemned

By Jemima Holmes

The unthinkable occurred at State House on Thursday morning, when a Nigerian national made a foiled assassination attempt on the President’s life at his official residence thus severely injuring a Presidential Guard in the process.
According to police reports, the incident occurred sometime around 7:30h when 25-year-old Bethel Ikena Chinezie approached a security checkpoint, demanding to see the Head of State.

After making the demand to see the President at a Southern guard hut, near Carmichael Street, Chinezie was cautioned about having to be processed before entering the compound.
However, the assailant resisted, and whipped out a knife from a pouch he was carrying stabbing one of the guards present 5 times about his body and to his neck.
The injured guard has since been identified as Teon Perreira.
After injuring Perreira, Chienzie relieved a female guard of her firearm and retreated from the guard hut. It was then that shots rang out in the usually quiet neighborhood, much to the alarm of those residing in the environs.
Civilian videos of the ordeal on Thursday morning captured Chinezie walking backward from the guard hut, but continuing to exchange gunfire with the Presidential guards and other ranks.

Eventually, the severely injured Nigerian National lost his footing near the avenue on the intersection of Carmichael and New Market Streets, where he was surrounded, intercepted and disarmed by ranks.
Both the injured guard and the attacker were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for immediate medical attention.
Perreira was rushed into surgery at the GPHC, where President Dr. Irfaan Ali showed up to check on his well-being. After speaking extensively with doctors at the hospital, President Ali also spoke with the relatives of Perreira, who were gathered at the hospital.
President Ali even ventured into the Main operating theatre at the GPHC, to check on the care that Perreira was receiving. Up until press time, Perreira’s condition was regarded as stable.
Back at the scene of the shooting, Police ranks retrieved a 9MM pistol and seven 9MM spent shells. While there were no other injuries reported, there was visible damage (bullet holes) to nearby business entities.
In addition, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum related to this publication that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is currently in the process of engaging Interpol, to ascertain if the Nigerian has a criminal record.

Meanwhile, information about the individual revealed that the 25-year-old Chinezie is employed with a cleaning service company. He arrived in Guyana on March 13, 2020 and was previously employed with a security company.
From all indications, the suspect received extensive training.

Condemnation
Without a doubt, several entities and organizations rushed to condemn the blatant attack on the president’s residence on Thursday morning.
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) in praising the response of the armed forces said, “The Private Sector Commission of Guyana (PSC) condemns in the highest regard, the attack that occurred at the official residence of the President of Guyana – State House. During the attack, injury was inflicted on a presidential Guard on duty at the time of the incident.
The PSC congratulates the President’s Security Forces for a highly effective and controlled response which saw the apprehension of the suspect. The effective and well-coordinated response of the armed forces also saw the situation being de-escalated quite quickly and no further injuries resulting.”
The GPF also came in for praise from the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), who was ‘horrified’ at the attack.
“The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) like many Guyanese was horrified to learn of the attack on the official residence of His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The FITUG was gladdened to learn that the President and his family were safe and we are wishing a full and speedy recovery to the officer who was injured during the melee.
We are also must recognize the bravery and heroism of the security detail which sprang into action to ensure that the situation was quickly brought under control. It is a testimony to the training and skills of our men and women in uniform.”
The FITUG like many Guyanese wonders what could be the motivations for the attack. We do trust it is an isolated incident and not connected to any larger plot. At this time, we join with all Guyanese in praying for peace and tranquility for all citizens.”
Also joining the condemnation of the brazen attack was the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG), which stated, “The relative peace and calm of this nation was traumatically disturbed by an attempt to breach the security at State House, the official residence of His Excellency, The President of Guyana and which resulted in the stabbing and the serious wounding of one of the President’s Security details and the perpetrator being shot during a struggle.
“Violent discourse can lead to extreme polarization, we call on all Guyanese to remain united, be our brother’s and sisters’ keepers, reject the sowing of division and all forms of hate speech
CIOG and MYO strongly repudiate any action that seek to destabilize the peace of our country. This has no place in politics, in any democracy, or in our society.”
We pray for the speedy recovery of the security officer who was injured in this incident, for peace and for the safety and security of His Excellency and the Guyanese people.”
In addition, the Indian High Commission was similarly dismayed by the incident.
“The High Commission of India condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the attack which occurred at the State House today morning, during which a Presidential Security Officer was severely injured severally.
The High Commission welcomes the news that the First Family of Guyana is safe. We also take this opportunity to commend the Presidential Security Forces for the effective response and the rapid de-escalation of the situation. We also commend the injured Presidential Security Officer for his act of courage and wish him a speedy and full recovery,” the Indian High Commission wrote.
Meanwhile, The APNU+AFC has issued a statement condemning the security breach at State House. The Opposition noted that it awaits more details on the incident, and it condemns the resort to violence under any circumstances.
Moreover, the Opposition said it welcomes the news that the President and his family are safe.