By Mark Lenu
The Secretary General of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD, Rivers State Chapter, Dr. Ngo Baridapdoo J. has narrated how a well-known leader of the PWD community in the state, Kie Obomanu assaulted him at an event organized by the state government.
Obomanu who is a popular radio broadcaster and anchor of several top political events in the state was accused of detailing his hearing-impaired bodyguards to beat up the Secretary General of JONAPWD, which had prompted the victim to seek justice.
Ngo Baridapdoo narrated his ordeal by saying: “On December 12, 2024, the Rivers State Government convened a meeting with all persons living with disabilities in the state for an insurance program at the Orugbon Health Centre by Garrison Junction, Port Harcourt.
“As the current secretary general of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Rivers State Chapter, I was one of the coordinators and I attended the event with my wife so we could both register.
Also Read:
“While the event was going on, an unfortunate incident unfolded, Kie Obomanu bodyguards who are persons with hearing impaired began harassing a man in a wheelchair near us. I intervened pleading with them to handle him with care.
Unaware to me that their true target was me as Kie Obomanu has ordered them to attack me and before I could fully comprehend the situation, the said bodyguards of Obomanu turned their attention on me, forcibly pushing me out of the premises.
“A group of Obomanu’s bodyguards surrounded me and began beating me. While my wife was unable to stand by and watch, she intervened to protect me and they also assaulted her as well, right before my eyes.
“By God’s grace, intervention came and we were actually rescued from the hands of Obomanu’s bodyguards. I am not the first victim of Kie Obomanu’s inhuman actions. He has consistently used persons with disabilities hearing impaired as tools to intimidate and harass other persons with disabilities.
“In Rivers State, we have documented evidence of the ordeals we go through in the hands of Obomanu. It is more disheartening that Kie Obomanu who is also a disabled person would engage in such barbaric acts against fellow persons living with disabilities.
“I am calling on the Rivers State Government, the Honourable Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, and other relevant authorities to investigate this incident because I need justice.”
Our correspondent reports that efforts aimed at reaching Obomanu for comments were unsuccessful as his phone line was not connecting as of the time of filing this report.
