THE Akwa Ibom State police command has revealed today that gunmen kidnapped a driver and 18 passengers
The incident took place last week along the Azumini border between Akwa Ibom and Abia states.
According to reports, the bus left Uyo and travelled via Iwukem in Akwa Ibom’s Etim Local Council portion before being intercepted by their abductors in the Azumini area of the road.
A source who asked not to be identified revealed that the gunmen stopped the bus driver after shooting into the air, while others emerged from the woods and engaged in the shooting.
According to the source, all of the passengers were forced to exit the truck or face death if they refused.
“The driver was the first person to come down. Other passengers were ordered to follow suit immediately. The kidnappers moved all of them to the bush and escaped with them. The passengers’ whereabouts are not known for now,” the source said.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, confirmed the incident during a telephone conversation yesterday.
“The state police command is aware and is still monitoring the situation,” she said.
“That incident happened along the Azumini area of the road after the Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. All I can say is that the police are still monitoring the situation now.”
The PPRO also reported an armed robbery attack at the Akwa Ibom State daily Corporation, proprietors of the Pioneer daily, located on Information Drive in Uyo, in which a security guard was killed.
She assured everyone that the police are working hard to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible.