A bus carrying 19 people, including the driver, was intercepted and hijacked by unknown gunmen last Wednesday while traveling to Port Harcourt, resulting in the abduction of all onboard.
The incident happened at the Azumini border area, which separates Akwa Ibom and Abia states, our correspondent discovered.
The bus, which started its journey in Uyo, was ambushed by kidnappers in the Azumini area, after passing through Iwukem in Etim Local Council Area.
A source, who requested anonymity, revealed that the gunmen forced the bus to stop by firing shots into the air, and then additional attackers emerged from the bushes, joining the initial gunman in a hail of bullets.
The source added that all the passengers were ordered to come out of the vehicle or be killed if they did not oblige.
“The driver was the first person to come down. Other passengers were ordered to follow suit immediately. The kidnappers moved all of them to the bush and escaped with them. The whereabouts of the passengers are not known for now,” the source said.
ASP Timfon John, the Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the incident while speaking with journalists on Monday, said the police were still monitoring the situation.
“That incident happened along the Azumini area of the road after the Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. All I can say is that the police are still monitoring the situation now,” the PPRO said.
