Gunmen kidnap three travellers near Port Harcourt Airport

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of three persons along a road leading to Port Harcourt International Airport. 

The victims were abducted on the Obiri-Ikwerre Road stretch leading to the airport late on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. 

Spokesperson of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday, said 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,” she stated. 

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

It was gathered that the victims were traveling from the airport area to the Obiri Ikwerre Road when they were attacked by suspected bandits positioned on the road.

One of the escapees, Emmanuel Biira, however, told NAN that more than three persons were taken from the taxi he boarded.

He said of the 10 vehicles ambushed by the criminals, 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,” he explained.

“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,”

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.

The ecstatic escapee said that 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,” Biira expressed.