Eight Commuters Kidnapped in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Eight persons have been kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen along the Obiri-Ikwerre-Airport axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

THISDAY learnt that the gunmen stormed the area Tuesday evening, not far from the Port Harcourt International Airport Roundabout, Omuagwa and whisked away the  victims.

According to sources, the criminals had blocked the left flank of the road from the airport , which is  about five minutes drive away from airport round about.

The source revealed that  all the victims were moving from the airport axis to the Obiri-Ikwerre area before they were attacked by the bandits.

The source continued that over 10 cars were involved and that those who were unable to escape the scene were picked.

One of the victims who escaped the kidnap, Emmanuel Biira, said three people were whisked away from his car and that one of them was shot in the head before being taken away.

Biira, who narrowly escaped the attack narrated that the incident happened not too far from the airport junction and that occupants of over 10 vehicles were involved in the incident.

 He narrated: “Not too far from the airport junction en route Obiri Ikwerre flyover, I ran into an ambush along with about  eight  to 10 other cars. We all saw the kidnappers shooting and we reversed to head back to the airport junction but we were surrounded already back, front and all around.

“People jumped out of their cars to escaped and some were shot or apprehended. I jumped out to run but there was nowhere to run to and at that moment, the Lord showed me a car, spoke to me and said “enter under this car,” I obeyed.

“How can a grown man enter fully under a Honda salon car that’s not jacked up without his body being seen? But because I heard His voice, that became my saving grace. Three kidnappers walked past me, dragging a man, one entered the car I was under to off the engine because the car was on.

“I am alive today because of His mercies and covenant of protections over His children. My wife would have been a young widow if the bullets had hit me. My young children would have been fatherless but God said No. I am grateful to Him alone. Thank you Jesus.”