Policemen flee as gunmen kidnap nine passengers in Rivers State

A National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member identified as Justice was on Saturday shot dead in Imo State. Justice, an indigene of Abia State and a 2016 graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State was said to be serving in Cross River State before his demise. According to Punch, a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that, “Justice was shot dead around 5.30pm on Saturday at Nekede by youths suspected to be cultists.” The source said, “He was not a victim of circumstance; he was a target by a rival cult group. He left his place of primary assignment to Nekede, where he was cut off in his prime.” Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Imo state, Chris Ezike, said the command had arrested the prime suspect. Ezike said the prime suspect was arrested with a gun, adding that the killing was Cult related. He said, “We knew the victim as an ex-student of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede. The prime suspect has been arrested. He was arrested with a gun and four rounds of ammunition. The killing is cult-related. “I have dispatched a mobilisation team to the area to prevent a reprisal. The matter is being investigated by the anti-cultism unit of the state command.” Recall that last week, a corps member was also shot in Eket by unknown assailants who were on a motorcycle. Gunmen kill Benin based lawyer

Gunmen have kidnapped nine occupants of a commercial bus passengers travelling along the Emuoha area of the East-West road in Rivers State.

Hoodlums have been terrorising the Emuoha-Kalabari road hijacking vehicles and kidnapping travellers in the last couple of years.

A native of Odegu cimmunity in Emuoha Local Government Area, Prince Chukwu, told newsmen that the incident occurred at a boundary between Evekwu and Rumuodogo within Emohua Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday night.

He stated that before policemen who got a distress call arrived the scene, the hoodlums had fled with their captives.

Mr. Chukwu lamented that since the exit of the local vigilante known as the Onelga Security Peace and Adversory Committee code named OSPAC, crime had returned along the road.Related News

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He said, “Yesterday (Wednesday) night, they kidnapped nine people at the boundary between Evekwu and Rumuodogo.

“Before the policemen at Elibrada junction came (arrive the scene), the boys (kidnappers) have left with the boys inside the bush. Even the policemen at Rumuj ran away.

“The best solution is for the OSPAC to be brought back because they know these bad boys and the route they operate.

“Let them forget this politics they are playing and return OSPAC. That is my own advice,” he stated.

When contacted, the Spokesman for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was yet to get the report of the incident. ( Punch)