Gunmen hijack bus, abduct 16 passengers in Rivers

Gunmen

Gunmen have hijacked a commercial bus belonging to a popular transport company with all 16 passengers on board including the driver of the vehicle on the Emohua axis of the East-West Road, Rivers State.

The armed men struck on Monday morning when they blocked the road and opened fire on the bus, as it approached the area, thereby forcing the driver to a stop.

Daily Sun quoted a source who witnessed the scene as saying that the gunmen shot sporadically as the bus approached the blockage erected by the bandits.

According to the source who did not want to be mentioned, the unknown armed men led the 16 passengers including the driver of the bus, into the bush.

The source further disclosed that some of the hoodlums shot directly at the bus, while other gang members stood by the roadside, adding that the ill-fated bus was riddled with bullet shots and later abandoned by road side.

State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the command was currently analysing the information it had received from eye-witnesses.

Omoni, who confirmed the development to journalists, stated that concerted efforts were already on to apprehend the hoodlums.

He appealed to members of the public to be vigilant and assist the Police or other security agencies with useful information on any suspicious movement around the area.