Vehicle Escaping kidnappers Plunges into River, Expatriate Killed
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered a full investigation into the incident that claimed the life of an expatriate, whose vehicle plunged into a river along Eleme axis of the East-West Road in Rivers State, while escaping from kidnap attack.
THISDAY gathered that a Hilux van carrying company workers, including a foreigner, plunged into the Okulu River Monday night, while escaping from suspected kidnappers at the aforementioned area.
It was gathered that the driver lost control of the vehicle after gunmen attacked the convoy, causing it to skid off the bridge and plunged into the river.
Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Brian Gokpa, yesterday, mobilised a rescue team to the scene with the support of operatives from the Nigerian Navy and other rescue agencies to retrieve the vehicle and its occupants.
Gokpa, speaking at the scene, reiterated his commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the area, and vowed to ensure the perpetrators of the attack were brought to justice.
Professional divers and marine police were deployed to the rescue mission, while frantic efforts were also made to recover the victims and the vehicle from the river.
Adepoju, with his team on visit to the scene, commended the council chairman for swift response and for mobilising security forces and rescue teams to address the incident.
In a statement released by the spokesperson of the Command on the incident, Grace Iringe-Koko, explained that, “The Mobile Police personnel accompanying Reuben managed to escape, but he and the Hilux Van are still submerged in the water.
“A search party led by the Command’s Marine Unit has since been constituted to rescue the expatriate, who is also the driver in charge of the Hilux van. The search party’s efforts resulted in the recovery of the lifeless body of the expatriate,Mr Gibson Reuben and the White colour Toyota Hilux Van.”
She said the recovery of the body and vehicle brought somber end to the rescue efforts.
“The CP at the scene strongly condemned the attack as ‘very barbaric’ and has ordered a full scale investigation with immediate arrest of the perpetrators of this reprehensible act, vowing to bring them to justice,” he said.
Meanwhile, property owners along the Eleme section of East West road have expressed concerns about the incident.
In their reaction, members of the group said the recent incident was another evidence of unprofessional approach and lack of safety measures by the company handling the reconstruction of the East West road.
