No fewer than five persons have been kidnapped when some unidentified gunmen attacked the Akpo community in Aguata Local Government Area at about 10 pm on Monday.
It was gathered that the five persons were returning from the traditional marriage ceremony of a cousin to the State Commissioner for Special Duties, Sly Ezeokenwa when they were picked at gunpoint.
An alert message by the commissioner, which was made available to journalists, stated that the victims were kidnapped around the Akpo community in Aguata LGA at about 10 pm on Monday and that no contact had been established with them or the kidnappers.
Ezeokenwa wrote, “The following friends of my cousin – Sampson Okafor, Chidozie Eze, Franklin Osuuagu, Chijioke Uduba, Benedict Ozoagwu – who visited for his traditional marriage yesterday (Monday) were kidnapped at gunpoint at about 10 pm last night in Udo Village, Akpo (Aguata LGA) along Akpo – Nkpologwu road about 300m to Akpo Junction. We are yet to establish any contact with the victims.”
The spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenganyia, confirmed the development.
He said the command had launched an operation to rescue the abducted persons, and that the commissioner had also been contacted over the claims.
“The command has already made contact to the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Sly Ezeonkenwa, and operation is currently ongoing for possible rescue of the victims,” he affirmed.