State House attacker regains consciousness, to be interviewed

Five days after he was shot during an attack at State House, Bethel Ikena Chenezie has regained consciousness and will be interviewed by investigators, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told the News Room on Tuesday.

“We just received some further information that they took him off the ventilator; so as a result of that, a team of investigators…are on their way to see if they can interview him in relation to the State House incident,” Blanhum related at the sidelines of an event at Police Officer’s Mess, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

The Crime Chief said Chenezie’s condition is still being regarded as critical. He remains hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Chenezie, who possesses a Nigerian passport, on Thursday last showed up at State House – the official residence of President Dr. Irfaan Ali and his family – demanding to see the President and told a Presidential Guard: “I want the President.”

He then proceeded to stab Presidential Guard Telon Perreira five times about his neck and body before disarming a female Presidential Guard and firing several shots at the building.

Chienezie was later three times shot by other members of the President’s security detail.

The injured Presidential Guard is conscious and recovering.

The probe into the attack continues.