Hoodlum snatches octogenarian vulcanizing machine in Edo

.Laments loss of livelihood, seeks financial assistance

An octogenarian vulcanizer, Pa. Cyprian Nwanekezie, who operates at No. 256 Ugbowo-Lagos road in Benin has cried out for help, following the daylight robbery of his vulcanizing machine by yet to be identified hoodlum.

Lamenting the stealing of his machine, which is his only source of livelihood, Pa. Nwanekezie, said he can no longer fend for himself and has become jobless owing to the sad incident.

He appealed to the general public to help him recover his work tool as he depended on it for over 40 years when he started the vocation.

Pa. Nwanekezie, who hails from Orsu Local Council of Imo State, told The Guardian that he had been in the business for over four decades, having completed his apprenticeship in Imo State before relocating to Edo in search of greener pasture in 1980.

He said all his life depended on the job, which he does by the roadside and since losing the machine to the criminals, he has fallen sick and helpless as he can no longer earn a living.

He appealed to the government and well meaning Nigerians to come to his aid by giving him support to acquire a new vulcanizing pumping machine.
He said his life will be shortened without having a job or the machine to keep body and soul going.

Narrating his ordeal, a distraught Pa. Nwanekezie said he was at his workplace when a young man dressed in black jeans and a black T-Shirt approached him for his service.

While he made an effort to commence the pumping job, the young man asked him not to worry due to his age, that he could assist him by helping to carry his machine to where his vehicle broke down as a result of a flat tyre.

“I actually accepted and allowed him to carry the machine near Adolor College Road since he looks responsible and old enough to be my own son.

“I never suspected any foul play, but he took away the machine pretending to want to help me to pump the tyre of his vehicle. I didn’t see him again to return my machine. I have not been feeling well since the stealing of the machine by the criminal.

“It’s been over five days now. I can’t eat , sleep or think well. I have been sick and taking medicine because of the theft of my machine.

“I need help to buy another machine to stay alive. This is the only work I learnt and knows how to do from my youth. It is my only means of income and now my livelihood is gone. Please help me. Government, please help me. Everybody help me. God has been helping me to survive this hardship. Now, all I have is taken away by this bad boy,” he lamented.