PDP Demands Investigation into Rivers Boat Shooting
National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed shock and totally condemned the reported shooting of a civilian market boat ferrying foodstuff and other household goods, allegedly by a military helicopter in Dutch Island area of Rivers State.
The PDP in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said that it is alarmed by reports of how the said military helicopter allegedly circled, targeted and shot at civilians, who were ferrying foodstuff and household items from Nembe-Bille jetty, in a bloody assault, in which the traders sustained gunshot wounds.
According to the PDP spokesperson, ” Our party calls for an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the terrifying incident which has reportedly heightened apprehensions in the Niger Delta region.”
The PDP also called for calm as the authorities unravel the circumstances surrounding the ugly incident.
A yet-to-be identified helicopter had reportedly shot at a local passenger boat travelling from Port Harcourt to Bonny in Rivers State.
There are fears of casualties, with some occupants severely injured and rushed to the hospital.
An eyewitness account at the Bonny-Nembe waterside where the boat took off from in Port Harcourt, told newsmen that there were casualties.
While expressing shock over the incident, he said that the boat conveyed passengers and foodstuff.
“The local boat that just left here to Bonny, within the Treasure Island area, a chopper or I will call it a flight helicopter, just came behind, went very low and started shooting at the wooden boat.
“From the information we got from a boat driver, there were passengers in the boat. The boat also contained foodstuff such as garri, rice and other items.
“Everyone knows that is the route transporting foodstuff to Bonny. Some people died in the boat,” he claimed
When contacted, a spokesman of the state Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, said that he had yet to get the report and asked our correspondent to call back later.
Spokesman of the 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Charles Ekeocha, did not pick calls put across to him by our correspondent; just like his counterpart in the Nigerian Air Force, Port Harcourt, as of the time of filing this report
