Gunmen Abduct Local Gov’t Chairman In Delta

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have cordoned off major entry and exit points in Sapele, Sapele local government area of the State, over the abduction of the chairman of the LGA Council, Chief Bright Abeke.

Abeke was reportedly whisked away at about 7pm on Friday at a hotel along Owumi Road in Sapele amid heavy gunfire.

Eyewitnesses said the hoodlums, numbering about 15, stormed the premises of the hotel and went straight for the local government chairman before whisking him away.

The attackers were said to have arrived in a Range Rover SUV and two other vehicles, shooting sporadically to disperse guests and onlookers.

A member of a local vigilante group, known as Ufuoma, identified with a uniform and seen as threat, was shot during the attack and immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

“The arms-wielding kidnappers were daring. They parked their vehicles in strategic places around the hotel, shooting sporadically to disperse residents and guests. There was panic everywhere,” an eyewitness reported.

Meanwhile, a pplice source, who confirmed that efforts were on to rescue the abducted chairman, however, could not confirm the state of condition of the sot vigilante member Ufuoma.

“Major entry and exit points in Sapele have been placed on check. We shall get them and rescue the Chairman unhurt. About the vigilante man, l don’t know but he was rushed to a hospital for treatment,” he disclosed.

Our correspondent reports that the incident occurred barely 24 hours after suspected gunmen reportedly issued threats to unleash violence in the area.