A driver of a bus, together 18 passengers in the vehicle were last week kidnapped by gunmen in Akwa Ibom State.

Police authorities in the state confirmed the abduction on Tuesday, stating that the incident occurred along the Azumini boundary between Akwa Ibom and Abia states.

The ill-fated bus which departed the Uyo Terminus, was traveling through Iwukem in Etim Ekpo local council area of Akwa Ibom before it was intercepted by the gunmen.

Eyewitnesses, who requested anonymity, revealed that the assailants halted the bus by firing shots into the air.

More gunmen emerged from the bush to join the initial gang in the shooting before ordering all passengers to disembark from the bus under the death threat.

“The driver was the first person to come down. Other passengers were ordered to follow suit immediately. The kidnappers moved all of them to the bush and escaped with them. The passengers’ whereabouts are not known for now,” a source disclosed to Channels Television.

Akwa Ibom State’s Police Public Relations Officer,
ASP Timfon John, confirmed the incident in a phone conversation with Channels Television.

“The state police command is aware and is still monitoring the situation. All I can say is that the police are still monitoring the situation now,” ASP John added.

[Leadership]