Akwa Ibom, Nigeria – The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a driver and 18 passengers by unidentified gunmen along the Azumini boundary between Akwa Ibom and Abia states.
The incident occurred last week Wednesday when the bus, which had departed from its Uyo terminal, traveled through Iwukem in the Etim Ekpo Local Government Area and was intercepted by the abductors in the Azumini area.
ASP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Akwa Ibom State, stated on Monday that the police are actively monitoring the situation. “That incident happened along Azumini axis of the road after Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. All I can say is that the police are still monitoring the situation now,” he said.
An eyewitness recounted the harrowing scene, describing how the gunmen shot into the air to force the bus driver to stop. Other gang members then emerged from the bush to join in the abduction. “The driver was first to come down. Other passengers were ordered to follow immediately. The kidnappers moved all of them into the bush, their whereabouts are not known till now,” the eyewitness added.