Gunmen Abduct Man, Kill Aide in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Police Command yesterday  confirmed the abduction of a man along Obirikwerre axis of East-West Road, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers state,  yesterday  afternoon.

According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the gunmen also injured two police officers who tried to rescue the victim.

THISDAY gathered that the police officers sustained different degrees of injuries, while chasing the suspected kidnappers.

It was not clear who the abducted victim is but rumour has it that is a prominent man in the state. Although the policemen survived the gunshots but an aide to the kidnapped victim was reportedly killed in the gun battle.

A source from the area disclosed that the vehicle of the Police had somersaulted when they were chasing after the kidnappers who opened fire on them, which resulted to loss of control by the driver of the Police van.

The source, who refused to mention his name, stated that the kidnappers fled the scene with their  victim while another Police patrol van came to the scene and conveyed the injured officers and killed aide to an undisclosed hospital.

Meanwhile, the police spokesperson, Iringe-Koko who confirmed the incident, added that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Effiong Okon has deployed tactical teams to the area and ordered for unconditional release of the abducted man.