Gunmen Abduct Policeman and Driver of Prominent Rivers Traditional Ruler
By DESMOND EJIBAS
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the kidnapping of a police officer and a driver assigned to a well-known traditional ruler in Rivers State.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), armed assailants stormed the residence of Chief Cornwell Ihunwo, the Paramount Ruler of Rumu-Elechi, Nkpolu Orowurokwo, around 8 p.m. on Saturday. The gunmen initially intended to abduct the traditional ruler but, failing to locate him, instead took his police orderly and driver at gunpoint to an unknown location.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday, police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko announced that tactical units had been mobilized to secure the release of the kidnapped individuals.
“The Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Rilwan, has directed a swift response to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice. The Octopus Strike Force unit is conducting a thorough investigation to ensure the safe return of the victims,” she said.
Iringe-Koko added that the police commissioner had visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.
Godstime Ihunwo, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Nkpolu Orowurokwo community, informed reporters that the traditional ruler was unharmed during the incident.
“At about 9 p.m. on Saturday, I received a call about the attempted abduction of HRM Ihunwo. I immediately went to his house on Eagle Island, where I found him safe. Chief Ihunwo informed me that the gunmen had abducted his driver and police orderly,” he said.
It is reported that Chief Cornwell Ihunwo is the younger brother of Victor Ihunwo, a former Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council. (Text, excluding headline: NAN)
