RIVERS: Unknown gunmen kill bus driver, 2 passengers, abduct others

A scene akin to a Hollywood movie played out along the Rumuekpe-Ndele area of the East-West Road, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, when unknown gunmen attacked a commercial bus.

During the attack on the bus conveying passengers to Port Harcourt, from Warri in Delta State, the gunmen reportedly killed the driver and two other passengers before abducting other passengers in the bus.

According to an eyewitness who declined to be named, the abducted passengers were marched into the bush by the gunmen following the incident which caused a heavy traffic on the expressway for several hours.

Read also: Lassa fever claims 2 lives in Ebonyi, 10 others cases recorded

The eyewitness said; “Some gunmen attacked a commercial bus here today; they killed the driver and two other passengers, who I suspect were sitting in the front row of the vehicle.

“The bus was painted navy blue; I guess it was travelling from Warri to Port Harcourt before it was attacked. The driver, I think, tried to escape and the bandits shot and killed him and two of the passengers.

“The remaining passengers, I believe, were kidnapped by the criminals and probably taken into the bush.’’

The attack was confirmed by Nnamdi Omoni, the state Police Public Relations Officer, who revealed that the police have been able to free some of the abducted passengers while a search for the others are ongoing.

The state PPRO said; “I can confirm the incident today on Eat-West Road, precisely at the Rumuekpe junction, where unknown gunmen opened fire on a moving bus and the driver was killed immediately.

“Investigation has been launched by the Commissioner of Police and all hands are on the deck. Our men have been deployed in that area and we are combing the areas to ensure that the passengers are released soon and unhurt.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now