Desmond Iwuchukwu
The whereabouts of eight passengers going to Buguma in the Asari-Toru Local Government Area on Saturday night remains unknown after they were taken to an unknown destination by gunmen along the Emohua-Kalabari road.
The latest attack is coming months after a similar incident happened on that road.
Our correspondent gathered that the driver of the Toyota Sienna car lost his life during the incident.
A driver plying the Emohua-Kalabari route who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity narrated the ordeal to our correspondent.
The driver also said that the presence of security personnel on the road has not solved the security challenges on the Emohua-Kalabari road.
He said the drivers plying the Emohua-Kalabari road will meet tomorrow to decide their next line of action.
In the meantime, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the kidnap of passengers along the Emohua-Kalabari road.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State GRACE IRINGE-KOKO confirmed the incident to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
She, however, said that the Police has commenced an investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Onengiyeofori George, has challenged the Police to curb the renewed spate of kidnappings and criminality along the Emohua – Kalabari Road.
Onengiyeofori George in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, John Paul Braide charged the Police to live up to its promise of safeguarding the only route to Kalabari land.
The Aasri-Toru Council Chairman while condemning the kidnapping incident in which the driver, one Salvation Taylor Harry was gruesomely murdered, also sympathized with the bereaved family over their loss.
The Chairman of the LGA further ordered the closure of Buguma motor park after 6pm daily.
He warned all motorists and drivers to desist from endangering the lives of people by continuing to ply the route after the closure of the park.
He further advised passengers to be conscious of their personal safety and ensure that night traveling is discouraged at the moment until sanity and security on the road are restored.
