Gunmen Kidnap Delta LG Chairman Bright Abeke

Gunmen have kidnapped the Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area in Delta State, Chief Bright Abeke, during an attack that caused tension in the community.

It was gathered that the incident happened less than a day after armed men allegedly warned of possible violence in the area, which had already raised fears among residents.

According to Punch, eyewitnesses said the council chairman was kidnapped around 7 pm on Friday at a hotel on Owumi Road in Sapele.

The attackers, said to be about 15 armed men, allegedly came in a Range Rover and two other vehicles.

They reportedly fired shots into the air to scare people away before moving straight to their target.

The gunmen then forced the chairman into one of the vehicles and drove off to an unknown location.

During the attack, a member of a local vigilante group identified as Ufuoma was shot and later rushed to a nearby hospital.

Following the incident, security operatives blocked key entry and exit routes in Sapele as search efforts continued to locate and rescue the abducted official.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the kidnapping and said police units had been deployed to track down the attackers and rescue the victim safely.

“Confirmed. The CP has ordered that the command’s special anti-kidnapping unit deploy their arsenals to ensure that he is rescued unhurt and the suspects arrested,” he said in a WhatsApp message.

KanyiDaily also reported that gunmen have killed Paulinus Ekwueme, the traditional ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.