Paul Jacob was traveling alongside his colleagues who work together in one of the local wooden cargo boats that convey goods, mainly foodstuffs and drinks to Bonny, on the afternoon of Thursday, August 26, 2021, without any inkling that he and his colleagues would become targets of an air strike, albeit, innocently.

He spoke with Kristina Reports Correspondent, Chamberlain Noble, from his hospital bed in Okrika, Okrika Local Government Area, where he narrated his ordeal. According to him, precisely, at the Dutch Island fishing settlement area, also in Okrika LGA, a military chopper fired at them, ostensibly, mistaking them for conveying illegally refined petroleum products. It is an eye opener.

What is your name, Sir?

Paul Jacob.

From where?

Anyugu-Biri from Okrika.

What really happened?

As we were coming after loading the boat – we have starting coming – so, we got to the open river, the next thing we observed was that our engine got bad. So, we called back to the office for replacement of our engine which they were bringing. While we were waiting the water was floating the boat on the sea. As they brought the engine, we exchanged and started driving towards our destination. In the course of that, there was failure in the pump part of the engine.

So, the driver decided to come and check on me and asked what I was doing with the pumping machine and why I have not switched it on. As he come close to check he found out that I was working on it. So, he decided to help me out. The next thing was a gunshot, gbua! Then he laid in the boat but I did not understand that it was a gun shootout. So, I insisted on the pumping machine but before I knew it, I was on the ground with my two legs. Then, I looked for a way to come out of the boat and entered another boat going to Bonny. Then the other of my friend had to help to cut the rope so that the boat can continue the movement to Bonny.

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So, you mean you were going to Bonny?

Yes, we were going to Bonny, we are carrying people’s load, garri, rice, etc. to Bonny before the thing happened.

What or who really shot at you?

This is an airplane just shot us that they feel it was an illegal modular refinery boats. But as they heard a shout-out from the passengers for help they zoomed off.

You mean once they heard ‘Help!’ they ran?

Yes.

How many of you sustained injuries?

Just me and one Hausa boy but he just sustained an injury on his hand but me on my leg.

Was there any loss of life?

No.