Posted by Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt on
Panic has gripped top politicians and prominent public office holders in Rivers State after kidnappers abducted Chief Azubuike Nmeruikini, the mayor of the Port Harcourt City local Government council.
Panic has gripped top politicians and prominent public office holders in Rivers State after kidnappers abducted Chief Azubuike Nmeruikini, the mayor of the Port Harcourt City local Government council.
He was abducted at about 11p.m. last night, in his house in Port Harcourt his house, Tuesday September 9, 2008.
Unconfirmed reports have it that the Mayor was abducted by five gunmen who stormed his house and drove him away in his official Toyota Hilux van.
Sensing the danger he was in, Nmeruikini was said to have acceded to their demand that he should 'co-operate' with them.
However, the Rivers Police command got a call from one of the Mayor's sons about the kidnap.
The police crack anti-terrorist squad was quickly mobilized and started a manhunt for the kidnappers.
According to sources close to the Rivers State Police Command, the hoodlums and the Mayor were intercepted by the anti-terrorist squad at Iwofe area obviously heading to the Iwofe Jetty where the squad engaged them in a gun duel.
In the ensuing encounter the Mayor was rescued. It was not clear whether he sustained injuries or not but the source said he was rescued alive.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Mrs. Rita Innoma-Abbey, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, confirmed the incident and said the Mayor was rescued alive and well.
She said the police sustained minor injuries from the encounter but no one died.
Innoma-Abbey, however declined to give details about the rescue operation or whether the Mayor was harmed not.