The Ebonyi state born auto mechanic Engineer has narrated how he survived the alleged brutality of the Fulani herdsmen but lost his two hands to the demolition of market in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja in 2014.
Narrating his journey in the valley of pains, anguish and trauma on his Facebook account, David Igboke Simon said life has been unbearable for him since the ugly incident.
“My name is David Igboke Simon, I am from Onicha-Igboeze in Onicha local government area of Ebonyi state, formerly under Abia state
“I was born in intermante in Boki in Ogoja local government area of Cross River state in South East zone but grew up in the northern part of Nigeria.
“Growing up in the northern part of Nigeria was really a terrible experience for me as a child witnessing bloodshed and the killing of innocent people who are demanding for their fundamental human rights.”
Explaining how he lost his two hands, Simon said that “I lost my both hands in the northern part of Nigeria because of the greedy and selfish interest of Nigerian government against traders in the northern part of Nigeria, demolishing their shops and marketplace just to leave it (the land) languishing as an open field that nothing is being constructed upon.
“I was working with a mechanic workshop as the manager as then (2012 – 2014) when the unfortunate incident occurred.
“So, precisely on February 18th 2014, one of our neighbors called me and other two boys who were under me to help him shift his container from where the government agents were demolishing the shops of mostly Igbo people at Abuja.
“However, when we got there, the man asked me to help remove a poll that was beside the container so that others can gain access to shift the container.
“But, unknown to me there was a high tension PHCN wire there on top and as I was trying to remove the poll so that others will gain access to shift the container. As I was trying to remove the poll, it touched the high tension PHCN wire and I was electrocuted.”
Narrating further his ordeal Simon stressed that “this caused me my both hands after so many medication both in the hospital and even traditional medication.
“And after much said and done, I was transferred from Asokoro General hospital, Abuja where I underwent first hand surgery which was not successful.
“So, I was referred to orthopaedic hospital here in Enugu where the final surgery was done and the hands were amputated in the same 2014.
“Ever since 2014, I have been looking for an opportunity to get a biomimetic prosthetic hands to enable me meet up with social and domestic life that will help me do other things which I find very difficult to do now.
“I have been attacked severally by members of Ebube-Agu just for supporting Biafra restoration and speaking up against the killing of innocence people in Onicha-Igboeze by members of Ebubeagu and Ebonyi state at large.”
Mr. Simon however, appealed to the well spirited individuals or group of persons who can help him procure prosthetic to do so as ameliorate his sufferings.