Unknown gunmen have abducted three individuals along the road leading to the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The victims were abducted on the Obiri Ikwerre Road stretch leading to the airport late on Tuesday.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the abduction.
She, however, said immediate measures have been activated by law enforcement, with Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu directing tactical teams and Divisional Police Officers to intensify efforts in pursuit of the abductors.
“The Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, has tasked our tactical team commanders and the Divisional Police Officers within the jurisdiction to implement adequate security measures.
“These measures have been put in place to ensure that the criminals are apprehended,” she stated.
Preliminary reports indicate that the victims were taken by unknown assailants while travelling along the route.
One of the escapees, Emmanuel Biira, however, said more than three persons were taken from the taxi he boarded.
He said of the ten vehicles ambushed by the criminals, a few of the passengers were whisked away while some managed to escape into the nearby bushes along the highway.
“The incident began when our vehicle ran into an ambush near the airport junction roundabout as we were heading to Obi Ikwerre flyover.
“We encountered an ambush with eight to 10 cars. As we approached the scene, the kidnappers began shooting randomly into the air.
“As soon as the shooting began, we turned back towards the airport junction, but the kidnappers double-crossed us,” he told News Agency of Nigeria.
Biira reported that occupants of other vehicles who tried to escape from the abductors were shot at and forcibly taken away.
“After the hoodlums crossed us, I jumped out of the car to run, but there was nowhere to go. But at that moment, the Lord showed me a car to hide behind.
“So, I quickly hid under the car, and as I did, three kidnappers walked by – dragging a man while one of them got into the car I was under to turn off the engine.
“I am alive today because of God’s mercy and covenant of protection over His children,” he added.
