MWUN Raise Alarm As Unknown Gun Men Attack Five NIWA Workers in Anambra State

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has raised an alarm over the insecurities in the South East region of the country as five of it’s members who are staff of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have been attacked by unknown gun men.

President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju while speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Lagos said the incident occured on Wednesday, May 25th, 2022 at Otu Junction, Nnewi South, Anambra State.

He said the unknown gun men opened fire on the five workers who are from Seamen/NIWA Water Transport Branch, travelling in a branded NIWA official vehicle.

As a result, the union decried the insensitivity of the government to the suffering plight of its citizens and working class saying such is not only an affront to the need to survive but more on the right to life and existence.

The victims were said to be traveling in their official Nigerian Inland Water Ways Authority (NIWA) branded hilux when they were attacked on the reason that they strayed into Biafra land in a Nigeria branded sport utility vehicle.

The union in a statement, said three bullets were extracted from the neck of one of the victims by medical team at Nnewi General Hospital.

“Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) wish to inform the General Public of the unwarranted ambush, shooting, maiming and infliction of injury on five of our officials who were going for an official assignment on Wednesday 25” May 2022 at Otu Junction, Nnewi South, Anambra State by unknown gun men.

“Reportedly, three bullets were extracted by the medical team, from the neck of one of the attacked official, rushed to the Nnewi General Hospital.

“We commend the Managing Director of the National Inland Water Ways Authority — Dr. George Moghalu, for his prompt response which enabled medical assistance to our injured members.

“At this very sensitive period in the life of Nigerians, we find the incessant, unprovoked and persistent attacks on innocent Nigerians and the working masses by those who claim to be unknown gunmen as not only extrajudicial and barbaric but also a pointer to the failure of the security apparatus and of the State to live up to its primary function of providing protection for its Hen citizens” he said

Also speaking, President of the Seamen/NIWA Water Transport Branch of MWUN, Comrade Sunday Avoseh said the seat-at-home being observed by the IPOB in Anambra State could have cost the five men their lives because the doctors could not move.

“The seat at home that occured the following day could have led to the death of our members, the doctors that were supposed to come and treat them could not come until Friday”

“They had to be sneaked out to Asaba in Delta State on Thursday to get treatment before returning to Lokoja”

“This is not the first in that axis, the place has almost become a no go area, and this is why we are calling on the federal government to do something urgently” he said

Comrade Avoseh said the five NIWA Workers had left Akwa Ibom and we’re heading to Onitsha when the attack occured

“They are our district officers from NIWA office in Lokoja, they were actually going to each area to conduct their unit elections”