Human rights activists from Concerned Human Rights Nigeria, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and other groups on Wednesday protested alleged insensitivity of Dana Airlines Limited.
The protest was at the instance of Pastor Daniel Omowumi, who allegedly lost over N500m to Dana crash of June 3, 2012. He was also joined by other victims of the crash that are yet to be compensated by the airline.
The protesters, led by the National Coordinator, CHRN, Mr. Declan Ihekaire, began procession from Funmilayo Bus Stop, Ipaja Road, Lagos, and headed for Dana office on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, singing solidarity songs and carrying placards.
The placards bore inscriptions such as ‘The blood of the innocent souls is crying for justice’, ‘Bloody and cruel Dana’, ‘Dana is capable of killing more’, ‘Nigerians, please stop flying the Dana Airline’ among others.
The protest became more dramatic when they got to the Dana office as motorists and pedestrians joined them.
Addressing journalists, Omowunmi said he had been rendered poor since the incident, adding that he lost more than N500m.
Omowunmi said, “I lost over N500m. Among the things I lost were two warehouses, one bungalow, one-storey building and other buildings.
“I had property warehoused for other customers such as book of over N250m for a publishing firm.
“As I talk to you, the publishing firm is under pressure from its creditors. The letter sent to him has been forwarded to Dana and no effort has been made by the organisation.
He said he had written a series of letters to Dana but nothing had been done since then.
Ihekaire, called on the National Assembly to look into the plight of Nigerians whose property were destroyed during the crash.
He said, “We are here today to register our displeasure with the attitude that had been put forward by Dana in respect of last year crash.
“Till today, people’s houses that were destroyed have not been taken care of. The National Assembly should look into the plight of Nigerians whose houses were destroyed during the crash. Dana has all the resources to pay the money.”
As of 12noon when our correspondent left the protest venue, the gate of Dana was closed and no officials of the company addressed the protesters.
Punch Nigeria
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