Gunmen kidnap monarch, lecturer, attack journalists in Rivers
GUNMEN have abducted the monarch of Ikuru town in Andoni Council Area of Rivers State, HRM Aaron Ikuru, a lecturer with the Linguistics and Communications Department, University of Port Harcourt, Dr Jones Ayauwo and attacked three journalists.
The Guardian learnt that the traditional ruler was abducted from his residence in Ikuru town, while Ayauwo was kidnapped on the Andoni- Ogoni road on his way from a church programme at Andoni.
Spokesman of Ikuru palace, Maurice Ikuru, confirmed the monarch’s abduction, saying the victim was abducted about 8: 30pm on Sunday.
Also confirming Ayauwo’s abduction, the Public Relations Officer of UNIPORT, Sam Kpenu, disclosed that the lecturer was seized when he travelled to his hometown at the weekend.
He was kidnapped on the Andoni- Ogoni Road. Three occupants were with him in
the car, but the gunmen forced the three occupants out of the vehicle and forced him into their waiting vehicle “Kpenu added that one of the hoodlums drove away the lecturer’s car alongside theirs and sped to an unknown destination, while the other three occupants were left stranded on the scene.
“We have not heard anything from the kidnappers, but the management of the university has reached out to the victim’s family and we are following up the situation.
“The management of UNIPORT is concerned and the
Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Okodudu, is doing everything possible to ensure the safe and timely release of the victim,” he said. State Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the abductions and attacks on journalists, saying: “We received the report that some persons who were returning from Andoni on Sunday evening were ambushed and kidnapped and we can also confirm the abduction of the Ikuru monarch.” He said investigations were ongoing to arrest bandits and to ensure the safe release of the victims.
Also, some hoodlums attacked three journalists with the Rivers State Television Authority, RSTV and seized their camera, laptops and telephones at Bori, Khana Council Area of the state. The victims were returning to Port Harcourt from a function in Andoni when the assailants attacked them. One of the journalists said: “Gunmen attacked travellers and RSTV journalists, Cletus Enerujama ( a translator), Godspower Anele ( reporter) and Thursday Dick ( cameraman).
Meanwhile, five men in Banigo Community, Bonny Council, who were abducted five months ago at a burial ceremony, are yet to regain their freedom.
Worried by the development, the Bonny Gentlemen’s League, in a statement issued at the end of its annual convention, by its Chancellor, Olam Allwell- Brown, urged the federal and the Rivers State governments to intervene and release the abducted men.