By Godfrey Uju
A community leader identified as Andy Anozie, has regretted what he described as abrupt attack and destruction of his residential building for exposing and uncovering illegal oil Bunkering Activities in Obama and Uzoma axis in Kom-Kom Community, Oyingbo Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
Recall that illegal bunkering activities had become alarming in the Niger Delta region to the extent that the federal government of Nigeria has promulgated a law which criminalises it and recommended seven years jail term for any person found guilty of the offence.
Andy Anozie being a honest community leader in the locality, has always wanted the community to be free of crime and criminal activities in order to bring the desired development to the door steps, especially as illegal oil bunkering poses severe threats to life, environment and the welfare of the citizens.
Speaking to Journalists, in his hospital bed, Andy Anozie who was attacked and escaped assassination attempts, said that though illegal oil bunkering activities had been on going in the locality but that it became worrisome when he caught some unscrupulous elements in the scene who threatened to kill him, boasting that they are protected by some persons at the helm of affairs of government that were aiding them.
He further said that the issues heightened on the 15th June 2024, when he narrowly escaped being killed after he had reported their conduct to the military task force constituted to address the trend.
He explained that he was just at home when some assassins allegedly sent by the principal actors of the illegal oil bunkering trailed him to his house but was lucky to escape and that his escape never gone down well with those assassins and their sponsors who felt embarrassed by the humiliation and as such they intensified their threats on him and family since they have boasted to influence the security agents against them and other personality indulged in the illegal activities.
Meanwhile, Andy Anozie got injured in the process of attack and was rushed to a private hospital where he had surgery to resuscitate his life even though they angrily destroyed their house.
