Hoodlums attack palliative-ladened bus, injure three in Cross River

Hoodlums on Tuesday in Calabar attacked a bus, loaded with palliatives, belonging to Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State Council.

Journalists, upon receiving information from the Director of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), Rev. James Anam, as beneficiaries of the present phase of distribution, moved to the government warehouse and successfully conveyed the food items from Barracks Road, Calabar.

The palliative-ladened vehicle, en route to the NUJ Secretariat, was however, with hoodlums hurling stones on the slowly moving vehicle, carting away food items from the broken windows.

The bus driver, Joseph Akpaenin, whose phone was stolen, and injured in the shoulder during the attack, explained that their saving grace was when the booth of the bus flung open with several bags of rice and garri dropping off.

He said the mob’s attention shifted from the bus to the items dropping off the bus giving enough way for him to scamper to safety.

The heinous attack also left Tribune reporter, Joseph Abasi-Abasi, and the Council’s staff, Saviour Ekpenyong with injuries.

The injured are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility in the metropolis.