Set off-happy naval operatives open fireplace on journalist, humanitarian staff on Ondo waterways

A business boat carrying a journalist and a few officers of Ilaje Rural Improvement Committee (IRDC) got here beneath fireplace by naval operatives on patrol within the Ondo riverine group on Wednesday.

Aderemi Bamgbose, a correspondent of the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN), and the IRDC officers have been on their manner from a free medical outreach within the riverine communities once they have been attacked at Odofado.

IRDC is a community-based organisation, established in 2005 to carry succour to residents of the realm by initiation of assorted programmes and initiatives, beneath the sponsorship of Chevron Nigeria Restricted (CNL).

The boat occupied by the journalist and the IRDC officers have been amongst these flagged down by the naval personnel on patrol on the waterways.

Though the boat slowed down for the safety brokers earlier than it later moved, the army operatives inexplicably grew to become incensed and commenced to shoot sporadically in anger.

The taking pictures brought on panic on the waterways and among the many residents of the group, whereas passengers in a few of the boats throughout the neighborhood scampered for security.

The state of affairs additionally compelled residents of the group to troop out to sentence the motion of the naval personnel.

As the motive force of the boat sped to the creeks, the naval personnel pursued him to a halt, with the officers working in several instructions for pricey lives whereas, within the course of, the NAN journalist sustained some accidents.

The naval operatives, who did not take heed to anyone, then seized and took away the boat together with the private results of the occupants.

Andrew Imese, IRDC’s Welfare Officer, condemned the actions of the naval personnel, saying it was mistaken for them to shoot the officers, as they weren’t criminals.

“What’s our offence? They flagged us down; we complied and later moved, however they started to pursue us, taking pictures sporadically as if we’re criminals.

“We solely escaped dying by whiskers. That is condemnable, significantly coming from the operatives of a accountable {and professional} organisation because the Nigerian Navy,” Mr Imisie mentioned.

Efforts by NAN to talk with the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy (FOB), Navy Captain Shuaib Muhammed-Ahmed, proved abortive as calls made to his telephones weren’t going by.

In the meantime, no fewer than 600 residents from the riverine communities of Odofado and Awoye benefited from the free medical outreach, organised by IRDC and sponsored by NNPC/Chevron joint ventures.

Residents of the riverine communities have been handled for varied ailments, reminiscent of malaria, typhoid, hypertension, arthritis, pores and skin ailments and cough, amongst others.

Coordinator of the programme, Nimbe Tawoshe, mentioned that core medical consultants, together with medical doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists and pharmacists have been concerned within the medical outreach.

He expressed satisfaction with the turnout of the residents, regardless of the rain, to make sure they have been recognized and handled.

Mr Tawoshe expressed appreciation to IRDC and NNPC/Chevron for the sufficient consideration given to the well being of the folks. 

(NAN)