Gunmen ambush motorists, kidnap several people near Port Harcourt International Airport

The police command in Rivers on Thursday confirmed the abduction of three persons along a road leading to Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers.

The victims were abducted on the Obiri Ikwerre Road stretch leading to the airport late on Tuesday.

SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the command, said in Port Harcourt that police were already in pursuit of the abductors.

“The commissioner of police, Olatunji Disu, has tasked our tactical team commanders and the divisional police officers within the jurisdiction to implement adequate security measures.

“These measures have been put in place to ensure that the criminals are apprehended,” she stated.

The victims were travelling from the airport area to the Obiri Ikwerre Road when they were attacked on the road.

Emmanuel Biira, who escaped the attack, stated that more than three persons were taken from the taxi he boarded.

He said of the 10 vehicles ambushed by the kidnappers, a few of the passengers were whisked away while some managed to escape into the nearby bushes along the highway.

“The incident began when our vehicle ran into an ambush near the airport junction roundabout as we were heading to Obi Ikwerre flyover. We encountered an ambush with eight to 10 cars. As we approached the scene, the kidnappers began shooting randomly into the air.

“As soon as the shooting began, we turned back towards the airport junction, but the kidnappers double-crossed us,” he explained.

Mr Biira reported that occupants of other vehicles who tried to escape from the abductors were shot at and forcibly taken away.

“After the hoodlums crossed us, I jumped out of the car to run, but there was nowhere to go. But at that moment, the Lord showed me a car to hide behind. So, I quickly hid under the car, and as I did, three kidnappers walked by – dragging a man while one of them got into the car I was under to turn off the engine.

“I am alive today because of God’s mercy and covenant of protection over His children,” he added.

He said his wife would have been a young widow and his children fatherless if one of the stray bullets had hit him.

“I am immensely grateful to God alone. Thank you, Jesus Christ,” Mr Biira said.

(NAN)