15th June, 2011
Abductors of five Nigerian corps members in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State, have reduced the ransom demanded for the release of their captives from the N100 million to 10 million naira.
According to Suleiman Abba,the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the security agents are intensifying efforts to get the corps members. Four female and one male corps members were taken during their mandatory Community Development Services (CDS),at Omademe last Tuesday.
He said that security forces were closing in on the abductors to release the corps members without any ransom paid.
However, Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Esther Chimele-Wogbo, has denied any knowledge of such demand, saying she was yet to receive such information from any of her staff.
“I cannot confirm if they are asking for ransom because we are yet to establish contact with them,†the director explained.
In another development, the Police said their men foiled an attempt by a gang of four gunmen to attack Diobu Police Station, Port Harcourt. The suspects operated in a taxi at about 3.30 am today.
According to Ben Ugwuegbulem,Police Public Relations Officer the hoodlums opened fire at Policemen who were conducting stop and search, resulting into a gun battle. The Police were able to overpower the gunmen who fled through the Aba road axis of Port Harcourt with bullet wounds.
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt