Gunmen Kidnap Three Travellers In Rivers

Published

2 years ago

January 4, 2024

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of three travellers along the Obiri-Ikwerre – Airport Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state by gunmen on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the gunmen blocked the left flank of the road which is about a five-minute drive from the Port Harcourt International Airport roundabout and reportedly ambushed some vehicles.

The gunmen shot indiscriminately, while they abducted some of the occupants of the vehicles.

Spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident on Thursday.

Iringe-Koko said the Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, has drafted tactical team commanders and Divisional Police Officers to the area to rescue the victims.

She said, “I just spoke with the Divisional Police Officer who confirmed that three persons were kidnapped.

“The Commissioner of Police has asked Tactical Team Commanders and the DPOs within that jurisdiction to put adequate security measures in place, ensuring that the hoodlums are arrested.”

Meanwhile, an eyewitness simply identified as Emmanuel who narrowly escaped the attack, revealed that three occupants of a car used for public transportation were dragged out and taken away.

Emmanuel added that one of the victims who attempted to resist the gunmen was shot before being taken away.

He said he escaped death after manoeuvring his way out of the situation and hiding under a vehicle.

He said, “Not too far from the Airport J8nction en route to 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 race back to the Airport Junction but we were surrounded from the back, front and all around.

“People jumped out of their cars to escape 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 and one entered the car.

“I’m alive today because of His mercies and covenant of protection 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.”

The PUNCH earlier reported that gunmen ambushed a convoy of Daewoo workers along the Ahoada/Abua East-West axis in Rivers State.

The gunmen shot four soldiers, and two drivers dead while they reportedly kidnapped two expatriates of the company recently.

It was gathered that the incident occurred around 9.30 am.

The PUNCH gathered that the victims were on their way to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital when they were ambushed.

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

11 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
‎
Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
‎
The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
‎
‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
‎
‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
‎
He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
‎

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.