Gunmen kill two, abduct VIP in Rivers

Gunmen have killed two aides and kidnapped their boss, a Very Important Person (VIP), suspected to be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN in Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

The kidnappers were said to have also shot three of the policemen attached to the VIP.

The three policemen, who sustained various degrees of injuries in the attack, were reportedly receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said the kidnappers were dressed in military camouflage and carried out the act around 3 pm on Monday

The source said the abductors monitored the VIP and his escort and later launched the attack at Obiri-Ikwerre interchange in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.

He said a personal aide and driver to the VIP were shot and killed in the incident while the policemen escorting them only sustained injuries.

He said the gunmen first shot at the tyre of the police van carrying the policemen forcing the driver to lose control of the vehicle

He said: “This afternoon, kidnappers kidnapped a VIP I suspect is a senior lawyer around Obiri-Ikwerre interchange. The criminal shot at a police van escorting him.

“They killed the driver and another of his aide. They kidnapped the man and ran off. Three policemen that were with them in another van had accident because the criminals shot their tyre before going for their target.”

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident.

She said that no policeman died in the incident but the hoodlums killed aides to victim.

Iringe-Koko said the policemen sustained injuries and were receiving a medical attention in a hospital.

She said the Commissioner of Police had made adequate police mobilisation to ensure unconditional release of the victim.