In the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, near the Omerelu community axis of the Port Harcourt–Owerri route, 18 passengers were reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday by armed suspects.
The 18-seat commercial bus, according to a source, was travelling from Imo State to Rivers State when it was assaulted.
Additionally, it was learned that the gunmen shot the bus driver, Emeka, also known as Car-Wash, in the leg as the passengers were being led into the bush.
Dan Jumbo, a commercial driver who was following the victims, described how the bus driver who had been attacked was taken to the hospital right away for treatment while his car had been abandoned inside a pipeline along the Omerelu-Elele axis of the route.
He noted that the matter was immediately reported to the Elele Divisional Headquarters of the police force.
However, at press time, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the development, said the number of victims on the bus was not ascertained, but added that the Divisional Police Officer, Elele Police Division and some tactical team of the police force have begun a search for the victims.
“We have heard of it. The DPO in that area and some tactical team have rescued one of the victims. An investigation is still on, but I don’t know how many persons are involved,” she said.