December 14, (THEWILL) – The Amalgamated Union Of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) in Cross River State has raised alarm that its members are now targets of kidnappers.
Engr Micheal Neji, Treasurer of AUATON in the State, raised the alarm following a Wednesday night attack on a driver of another e-hailing company – Bolt.
The driver, Mr Kingsley Okon, was on Wednesday night, attacked around popular Goldie Street in Calabar by unidentified gunmen.
Giving more details of the attack, Neji said that the Victim was about to enter his house at a close, off Goldie Street in Calabar South Local Government Area at about 8 pm when his assailants attacked him.
“He was making a call inside his car when his assailants, numbering three, arrived in a mini-bus at his location and asked him to alight from his vehicle and ordered him at gunpoint to move into their minibus but Kingsley refused and started struggling with them.
“They pounced on him, beat him up thoroughly with their gun and shot at him but he was lucky, as he only sustained scratches from the pellet shot from their locally made pistol,” he said.
He disclosed that their colleague was rushed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital by good samaritans, where he was stabilised and is currently being treated.
Decrying their plight, Engr. Neji said, “We have become a target for kidnappers, but what they don’t understand is that most of the cars they see us drive belong to people. 85 per cent of Bolt drivers in Calabar drive on a remittance contract basis and don’t own those cars.
“We are appealing to Security agencies and the Government of Cross River State to do more, especially during this period, many of us have already fallen prey.”
SP Irene Ugbo, the State Police Public Relations Officer, said she was not aware of the incident but promised to make a response later.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
