Gunmen kidnap traditional ruler, lecturer, other travellers in Rivers

Aarom Ikuru, the traditional ruler of Ikuru town in the Andoni local government area of Rivers state, has been abducted by gunmen.

The gunmen invaded the monarch’s palace Sunday evening, Punch reported.

Maurice Ikuru, the monarch’s palace spokesperson, confirmed the attack. He said, “yes, it’s true. It happened about 8:30 or 9pm”.

Some boat travellers, including a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, who were returning to Port Harcourt from Andoni were kidnapped and whisked away by gunmen suspected to be pirates, Punch also reported.

Nnamdi Omoni, police spokesperson in the state, who confirmed the incident, said the kidnapped travellers are yet to be identified.

“I can confirm that some persons who were coming back from Andoni were ambushed and kidnapped. Investigation is ongoing to get the details,” Omoni was quoted to have said.

No group yet has demanded ransom.