BY TIMOTHY AGBOR
Some gunmen operating on two motorcycles have kidnapped scores of travellers in Lokpanta, a community in the Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
According to eyewitnesses, the attack and abduction happened close to a military checkpoint in the area at about 5:30p.m. on Sunday.
The victims were said to be travelling in a Toyota Corolla car before they were waylaid abducted by gunmen operating on two motorcycles.
One of the eyewitnesses disclosed that the suspected kidnappers double-crossed the victims’ car with the motorcycles and forcefully led them into a nearby bush.
“They were all forced into the bush. People said that has been the style used by the gunmen to abduct their victims in the area,” the witness said.
The source added that the attack happened close to a military checkpoint in the area, but some soldiers on duty could not rescue the victims.
“After the gunmen forced the people into the bush, the soldiers just came to the entrance of the bush, looked around there and continued controlling traffic,” he stated.
Another witness, who asked not to be named, told this newspaper that the victims were on their way to Enugu State when the incident happened.
She said the victims’ vehicle plunged into a nearby bush when the driver was attempting to speed off to avoid the gunmen.
When contacted, the police spokesperson in Abia State, Geoffrey Ogbonna, said he was not aware of the incident.
