Unknown gunmen on Monday evening abducted Sir Aribibia John Fubara, a director of the Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue Service.
Details of the incident are still sketchy but a family relative told our correspondent that the gunmen numbering six came in a speedboat through the Okirika Waterfront to the Marine Base axis of the old Port Harcourt township area of the state capital.
Upon arrival in the area, the hoodlums who operated in a commando style quickly identified Fubara and shot indiscriminately into the air to scare people away, before whisking him into their waiting boat and zooming off to an unknown destination.
As at the time of this report, the kidnappers had yet to make any contact with the family of their victim, Fubara, who is also said to be a Knight of Saint Christopher, in the Anglican Communion.
The family relative, while confirming the incident via telephone, said the matter had been officially reported to the police for investigation and fish out those behind it and release their son, father, and brother.
He described the experience as traumatic, noting that they cannot possibly point out what exactly could have led to the incident and do not want to speculate.
"Yes, it is true. He was kidnapped by some gunmen this evening. About six of them in number, shooting sporadically. They are yet to contact us. We don't know exactly where it is coming from, and we do not want to speculate. But we believe that he will be released in good health and in due time. All we have done now is to make a formal complaint to the police on the incident, and they have assured us that they will swing into action immediately, "the relative said.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said they are aware of the incident, and an investigation has commenced.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, said: “Yes, the command is aware of the incident. The Commissioner of Police has ordered the deployment of all tactical units and alerted all area commanders to ensure he is rescued unhurt.
“Also, the CP has given them an order to ensure the suspects are apprehended and make them face the law."
