The Rivers State Police Command has intensified efforts to track down gunmen who abducted passengers from a ‘God is Good Motors’ (GIGM) bus traveling from Abuja to Port Harcourt. The incident occurred on Saturday evening in the Eleme area of Emuoha Local Government Area, where the passengers were forced off the road by the kidnappers.
According to reports, the gunmen intercepted the bus, forcing the driver to stop. To intimidate the passengers, the assailants fired shots into the air before leading all the passengers into the nearby bush. The distressing situation has raised concerns among residents and travelers using the route.
Speaking to our correspondent on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the kidnapping. She revealed that the command swiftly took action to rescue the victims.
“We are aware of the incident, and the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Mustapha, immediately deployed his tactical teams and anti-kidnap unit to the scene,” she said.
The efforts have already led to some progress. Iringe-Koko stated that four of the abducted passengers have been successfully rescued and reunited with their families.
“That deployment has yielded results; already, four of the victims have been rescued, and the CP has ordered a manhunt to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators to make them face justice,” she added.
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The police spokesperson expressed optimism about the ongoing operation, assuring that they are working tirelessly to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
“We are hopeful that before long, others will be rescued as our men are giving them a hot chase,” she noted.
In addition to the rescue efforts, the police have called on the public for assistance. Iringe-Koko urged residents to provide any useful information about suspicious activities in their communities, which could help in apprehending the culprits.
She also reassured the people of Rivers State of the police command’s dedication to maintaining law and order.
“The command is committed to ensuring the safety and security of everyone in the state. We will leave no stone unturned in fighting crime to a standstill,” she emphasized.