Unknown gunmen have reportedly kidnapped a driver and 18 passengers traveling from Uyo to Port Harcourt on an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus. The incident took place last Wednesday along the Azumini boundary between Akwa Ibom and Abia states.
According to reports, the AKTC bus departed from the Uyo terminal and was traveling through Iwukem in the Etim Ekpo council area when it was intercepted by the abductors in the Azumini area.
An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, described the harrowing scene. The gunmen reportedly fired shots into the air to stop the bus, and then emerged from the bush, continuing to shoot. They ordered all passengers to exit the vehicle, threatening to kill them if they did not comply.
“The driver was the first to come down. The other passengers followed immediately as ordered,” the eyewitness said. “The kidnappers then moved everyone into the bush and fled with them. The whereabouts of the passengers are currently unknown.”
Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Timfon John confirmed the incident, stating that the police are closely monitoring the situation.
“The incident occurred along the Azumini axis of the road after Etim Ekpo local government area. All I can say is that the police are still monitoring the situation,” she said.
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