Precious Igbonwelundun writes on a scary encounter with armed thugs during a raid by Nigeria Navy
At first it sounded like cheering. But matching closer to the open field at Ilashe Island, Atlas Cove, through the narrow bush path from the jetty, the scenario became clearer.
Thugs corking their guns, displaying charms and spoiling for war against operatives of the Nigerian Navy, who had gone there to recover thousands of jerricans sighted during an aerial surveillance.
Seeing that the armed thugs, who are in the employ of Topline Security, a firm contracted by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for complementary pipeline security far out numbered the naval operatives that took us there, I could not help but wonder where do I run to? Where can I hide? This is an open field and there is no place to take cover should the shootings start. What do I do in this circumstance?
As though they had read my mind, the hoodlums surrounded us and made it clear they had nothing to lose. “We are ready to die here. We will all die. We will simply blow off these jerricans and cause explosion than allow you carry them. Enough of the threats,” they screamed, dragging some of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) laden kegs from the vehicles and pointing their guns to them.
“Is this how you are going to die? Will your family even see your corpse for proper burial? Why did you even come here? The last time you followed the navy to this island, you said you will never come again? Why didn’t you sit back and get the story and pictures from your colleagues or the navy?” My mind pondered.
I was returned to reality with screams from the leader of the bad guys, a certain JJ, who ordered his men to surround us and block the only entry/exit to the field.
Although the naval operatives were few in number and even fewer of them bore arms, they tried to use ‘gra gra’ on the thugs but those ones did not bulge. They even took their confrontation to the leader of the naval team, a Commodore (one-star General), pointing their guns at him and saying “We no dey fear anybody. We want to die. We have nothing to lose. No more threats. Navy leave us alone…”
There was confusion, understandable fear/apprehension in the air. I have covered scary operations with the military and police. I just recently came back from Cameroon on another dangerous mission, but never have I came face-to-face with gun wielding thugs in the middle of nowhere, presumably high on hard drugs and alcohol. I looked up and saw my partner in crime, Chiemelie Ezeobi, fleeing and praying seriously. On the other side, Mary Fatile of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) was speaking in tongues. Our male colleagues from NTA, Channels, NAN and Daily Trust were also fleeing. The few armed naval operatives had taken position and awaiting orders from their commander, who thankfully, knew it would have been a suicide mission to engage the hoodlums.
The Commander attempted to address us at the scene but the thugs won’t let him. It was obvious they were on ground zero, blood thirsty and out for trouble. Before I knew it, I was also speaking in tongues and at the same time, praying to God for wisdom to handle the situation.
Thankfully, God came through and gave us an idea to request to interview the miscreants. We told the naval commander it was not a wise idea to interview him in that circumstance and that we would rather do his when we were back at the base.
We then requested to interview JJ and his boys. Initially, they rebuffed us and almost knocked us with their charms until we reminded JJ we were with him three years ago and he took us round the territory during a similar visit by the navy. We then cajoled him to tell us what the problem was since we’re neutral party and they would like to be heard. Then, he agreed to speak and spewed all the venom in his mouth.
As soon as we were done speaking with them, the commander ordered a retreat. He told his men to ensure we all got to the jetty unhurt and decided that they would return for the recovery some other time.
Oya allow us go na! These boys refused. They ran after us and said “If you move I go shoot you. Na only our commander (JJ) we take orders from and he don say nobody go leave here.” Hmm!
Fortunately, the naval commander had ordered his men to stay calm despite the provocations and directed that we all left without the jerricans and without further delays.
By this time, we have called our pastors, relatives and bosses to intimate them about our predicament. Thanks to their prayers, the wisdom of the commander to order a retreat and ours to interview the thugs…Those, perhaps, were the reasons we returned to the naval base unhurt. We lived to tell the tale.
