4th January, 2024
By Desmond Ejibas
An eyewitness and lucky escapee, Emmanuel Biira, has narrated how gunmen abducted at least three persons going from the road leading to Port Harcourt International Airport area to the Obiri Ikwerre road in the Rivers State capital on Tuesday evening.
The Rivers State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the abduction of three persons along the road leading to the International Airport.
However, Biira, in an interview said more than three persons were taken from the taxi he boarded.
According to him, the gunmen were able to stop 10 vehicles in their ambush and successfully whisk a few of the passengers away.
He however said some of the passengers in the vehicles managed to escape into the nearby bushes along the highway.
Narrating the daring kidnapping episode in the Rivers State capital, Biira said, “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 explained.
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.
The ecstatic escapee said that his wife would have been a young widow and his children fatherless if one of the stray bullets had hit him.
“I am immensely grateful to God alone. Thank you, Jesus Christ,” Biira expressed.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson of the command said police were already 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.
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman