A
journalist has narrated how he escaped death from the hands of two
soldiers in Rivers state while covering the pro-Biafra rally for Trump.
Pro-biafra supporters in support of Donald Trump
It was a day not to forget for the South South Acting Editor of The
AUTHORITY Newspaper, Mr Willie Etim, as some soldiers allegedly
detailed to stop a peaceful demonstration by Pro-Biafra members,
yesterday brutalized and nearly lynched him to death.
This comes after the media and publicity secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, had alleged that no fewer than 11 members of the pro-Biafra group have been shot dead by security operatives during the peaceful protest.
According to The Authority, the incident happened in Rivers state
where over 1000 Pro-Biafra youths staged a peaceful march in Port
Harcourt, in solidarity with the inauguration of the American President,
Donald Trump and also to express the plight of Biafrans to the world.
Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the personnel of the Nigerian
Army who were fully armed in their numbers, trying to stop the protest,
Mr Willie Etim said, while on his way to the office, he noticed the
massive crowd and decided as a journalist to cover the protest, only to
be attacked by some soldiers.
He said he narrowly escaped being lynched by two of the soldiers,
after they had hit him with the butt of their gun, destroyed his phone
and other gadgets.
Mr Willie said, "At about 10am today, I was on my way to the
office when I ran into a huge traffic holdup between Waterlines and
Garrison bus-stop in Port Harcourt. One lane was blocked and I was
wondering what would have caused such massive crowd.
"I got closer and discovered that it was Pro-Biafra march in
solidarity with the inauguration of Donald Trump and also to draw the
world’s attention to the Biafra situation in Nigeria.
"After interviewing some of the protesters, I went further to
take a picture of the protesting youths. Unknowingly, one of the
soldiers detailed to quell the protest sighted me as I was taking the
picture and driving past the crowd. Immediately, three of the soldiers
walked up to me, asked me who authorized me to take the picture. It was
then I introduced myself to them that I am a journalist.
"One of them flared up and said 'what stupid journalist' and
seized my phone which I used in snapping the picture and smashed it on
the ground.
"When I attempted to plead with them, to allow me pick my sim
card, they refused and threatened to shoot me if I come down from the
car, while the two of them pointed their guns at me from the driver and
passenger side of the car’s window. When I insisted to pick my Sim card,
one of them hit my car with the of butt of his gun.
"Afterwards, the soldier also hit me with the butt of his gun.
It was then I got scared and narrowly escaped from the scene to my
office".
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