The relative peace in Bonny Island was almost sacrificed on the altar of indiscretion last night when scavengers said to be of Northern Nigeria extraction attacked some indigenes of Bonny, killing one of them but for the timely intervention of the Security Directorate of the Bonny Youths Federation (BYF) which midwifed respite in the situation.
The scavengers reportedly attacked some young men who are natives of Abalamabie and Oguede Communities in Bonny Local Government Area at a scrap dump in the Coconut Estate area, opposite the Magistrate Court, Bonny, about midnight of Friday, July 30, 2021.
Eyewitnesses told Kristina Reports that trouble started when the scavengers were approached by youths of the community to pay the usual levy they remit before using the dump and waterfront.
The scavengers allegedly claimed to have paid the community already. But when the youths called their leaders, it was discovered that no such payment had been made.
This led to heated argument between the scavenger and the youths with the said Kaminu allegedly climbing into the wooden cargo boat which was to convey the scraps they had loaded for Port Harcourt, picked up a metal rod and used it to hit one of the youths identified as Mie Loveday Longjohn, from Abalamabie Community, and pushed him into the chilling river where he drowned.
Upon realizing what had happened the said Kaminu boarded the cargo boat which had already set sail in a bid to abscond from the crime scene. But luck ran out on him when, according to an official of the BYF, he was intercepted by a team led by the BYF Director of Security, Michael Pepple.
The Officer-in-charge of the Marine Police in Bonny LGA, Solomon Adeniyi, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed to Kristina Reports that the prime suspect in the incident, identified as Kaminu, was intercepted while attempting to abscond from the town and was subsequently handed over to the police on Saturday, July 31, 2021.
A source, who pleaded anonymity, informed Kristina Reports that some yet-to-be identified security personnel were allegedly involved in the fracas and investigations were already on to identify the said security personnel and ascertain their level of culpability.
Efforts to confirm this from the various security agencies proved abortive as none of the calls from Kristina Reports were attended or returned and the messages were also not responded to as at the time of this report.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Officer of Bonny Police Station, James Ekpeta has called for calm as efforts are being made to address the situation, confirming that the prime suspect has been apprehended and detained while investigation would be conducted to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident that led to the killing of the Abalamabie youth.
He stated that upon conclusion of investigations, the suspect would be charged to court and prosecuted according to the laws of the land, warning that scavengers who fail to adhere to law and order in the area would be dealt with accordingly.
Prior to this time, Kristina Reports had been inundated with reports of the said scavengers targeting public facilities ranging from metal drainage covers, and historical artefacts, among others. Unconfirmed reports have severally linked them to incidences of stealing and other criminal acts.
Appeals have been made by several concerned individuals for the relevant authorities to look into the activities of the scavengers and avert situations where they become a menace to the communities around Bonny LGA.
This is the begining of greater boldness to resist and attack Bonny people because these Hausa boys were used to unleash mayhem on Finima. This is just the begining. Hausa has been given a foothold to deal with Bonny people whenever they want and Security operatives are duty bound to cover and protect them. Bonny must enjoy and love the cultists Alaye and Opuminji they are using to attack their fellow Bonny brothers