Bukky Shonibare, one of the founders of the Bring Back Our Girls movement in Nigeria, who witnessed the incident has shared her experience.
Read her story below:
“From 8.20pm, today, March 4!: I just had a nearest death experience in my life. Gunmen are on the Airport Road, around Lugbe FHA, Abuja.
Some armed guys waved down motorists and stopped right in front of my car; stopping mine and all other vehicles behind me. They placed stones on the road and ordered us to return.
The fiercely looking armed guys were directly in front of my car, causing road blocks, holding big guns – one pointing his big gun directly at me through my windscreen. I couldn’t drive forward and I couldn’t return. I was lost.
Then, some of their colleagues came out from the corners and started shooting. I switched off my car ignition, took my phone, left my bag, and ran off. Others did same. At this time, my shoe had spoilt, I limped on through the stony ground, managed to enter a big gutter, and hid there. But the shootings became more leaving the place deserted, and none of the other motorists stayed in the gutter, so I hopped out, and ran off.
After some minutes of running, tear gas was released in the air. I don’t know by who. It was so peppery, water dropping off my eyes, and I couldn’t see well. Still the shootings continued and we ran. The road was filled with only empty cars, mine in front.
Then, a Chisco luxurious bus came and ran through all the stones, sticks, and other objects they used to block the road. That paved way.
The armed guys, at this point, had gone into the corners of the road shooting with people running helter-skelter. Then, motorists started running back into their cars. I did same. And with the help of the Chisco luxurious bus, we zoomed through.
Because I was the last to enter my car, the armed guys had returned to the road shooting, but I had started moving. They threw big heavy stones at my tyres but, by God’s grace, I drove through unstopped and unhurt.
Even though I couldn’t see well, for the effect of the tear gas, I was able to manoeuvre through. Till I got home, I kept looking back thinking I was being followed.
Though my face still feels peppery, my chest aches, my eyes hitch… I am grateful to God.
I don’t know what went down there or who those armed guys were, but one thing is sure, it’s the scariest near-death experience I’ve had in my life.
I hope penning this helps me recover from the shock; and that relevant authorities would look into this, not just for tonight, but afterwards.
Forgive my incoherence.”
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