A Bayelsa-based journalist, Eunice Nnachi, has raised an alarm over an alleged illegal dredging activity near her residence, calling on the government and security agencies to urgently intervene to prevent environmental damage and threats to her life.
In a distress post on her verified Facebook page on Saturday, Nnachi narrated how she woke up to find heavy-duty dredging equipment being moved close to her home, with operators allegedly threatening to assault her when she protested.
> “This morning, I woke to find heavy equipment being moved in, and my caretaker alerted me to their plan to begin operations immediately. When I protested, the operators threatened to beat me up if I tried to stop them,” she wrote.
Nnachi described the act as illegal and dangerous, warning that it poses serious risks to her life, property, and the wider community. According to her, despite alerting some relevant authorities, the perpetrators have continued to act “defiant and aggressive.”
She appealed for immediate intervention by security personnel and environmental regulators to stop the operation, investigate those involved, and safeguard residents in the area.
Reacting to her post, fellow journalist and media strategist, Pereokosifa Buseni, described Nnachi as a seasoned professional who has consistently contributed to the development of Bayelsa State.
Buseni noted that Nnachi has long been drawing attention to the erosion crisis in Obogoro community, which has persisted for over fifteen years, warning that such illegal dredging could worsen the environmental degradation in the area.
He urged the Bayelsa State Government, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant authorities to take the journalist’s plea seriously and ensure her safety.
Buseni further called on the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to rise to the occasion by demanding accountability and protection for journalists who speak out on public issues.
> “The Bayelsa State Government, security agencies, and civil society must not allow this to continue. We cannot afford to lose another voice speaking truth to power,” he stated.
The situation has since attracted public sympathy and concern from media practitioners and residents, many of whom are urging swift government intervention to prevent a potential tragedy.
About Author
