Samuel Oyadongha
19 October 2000
Olugbobiri, Bayelsa — Eighteen youths from Olugbobiri in the Apoi/Olodiama local government area of Bayelsa State were last weekend shot dead by military men guarding oil installations in the area.
The youths were said to have attempted to shut down flow station belonging to Agip.
About 49 youths in all were said to have stormed the flow station in three boats.
The militarymen opened fire on them, sinking one of the boats.
But an indigene of the community who spoke anonymity said the youths were not on a sabotage mission at the flow station but going to Koloama for a play.
"We had hardly headed for the site of the flow station when we were bombarded with gunfire. The driver of the first speed boat lost control after he was shot and so the boat capsized with its occupants," he said.
Four of the wounded youths were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa but one of them gave up the ghost before they could reach the hospital.
the deceased called Patrick March was said to be the only son of his aged parents. The others who survived but in critical condition were identified as Adaka Boro Obe, 26, Imomotimi Maclord 25 and Opobo Frederick 20.
Sympathisers from the community were still making frantic effort to transfer the wounded boys to Port Harcourt to get adequate medical treatments as resident doctors are currently on strike.
the secretary of the community, Mr. Geofrey Ukuta, described the incident as shocking.
Efforts to get the comment of the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nyanabo Agboji was futile as he was said to be on sick leave but an officer on condition of anonymity confirmed the presence of some wounded youths but could not confirm the number of those killed.
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