Gunmen storm rivers, kidnap 14

Some unknown gunmen have attacked Rivers state

– The gunmen reportedly intercepted a commercial bus and kidnapped 14 passengers

– Police say investigation are underway

A wave of tension was felt in Rivers state on Friday, August 12, as a commercial bus conveying about 14 passengers from Port Harcourt, the state capital to Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state was intercepted by unknown gunmen

Unknown Gunmen kidnap 14 in Rivers state.

The incident happened on the Elele-Ikiri-Omoku Road at about 4pm during which the hoodlums reportedly ordered the passengers out of the vehicle marked ONELGA Link, set it ablaze and whisked them away in their vehicle.

The kidnappers were said to have forced the vehicle to a halt shortly after it negotiated through a sharp bend.

The police spokesperson, Nnamdi Omoni when contacted, said he had little or no details on the incident.

He spoke to newsmen saying: “I’m not in the know officially. I will speak on the matter when I get full details.”

In a similar development, Daily Post reports that a senior lecturer of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor John Okorie who was abducted by suspected kidnappers has regained his freedom.

This was confirmed by the Rivers state Police Command at a media briefing held at the Police Headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Spokesman of the Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni disclosed that no ransom was paid for the release of the lecturer.

Omoni said: “The Lecturer was rescued within 24-hours of his kidnap. When our men got wind of the information, they swung into action. Men of the Anti-kidnapping Squad were deployed to go after the criminals and they were able to rescue him. I have to say no ransom was paid. Nobody paid anytime.

Professor Okorie of the Faculty of Engineering and also the director of the offshore technology institute at UNIPORT was kidnapped on his way home on Monday, August 8.