Gunmen abduct Wike’s aide as police seek unconditional release

The Rivers State Government has called on the police and other
relevant agencies to do everything possible to ensure the safe
release of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Lands and Survey,
Mr Anugbum Onuoha.

Onuoha was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in military uniform, who
stormed a hotel along Ada George Road at about 8.30am on Friday,
forcing him into a waiting vehicle before zooming off to an unknown
destination.

Speaking in a telephone interview on Friday with Saturday PUNCH,
the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Emma
Okah, said it was necessary for security agencies to expose those
behind the dastardly act in order to avoid speculation.

Describing the abduction of the governor’s aide as unfortunate,
Okah also appealed to Onuoha’s captors to release him
unconditionally.

He said, “The abduction is a very unfortunate and condemnable
act and we appeal to those who are holding him to release him
unconditionally.

“We also urge security agencies to do everything to ensure his
safe release. We are not suspecting anybody; none to my knowledge,
but it is a matter for security agencies.

“I don’t have any evidence that suggests the matter goes one way
or the other. It is the security agencies that can give us a lead.
It is important to do this so that we can know the direction that
the attack came from to avoid giving room for speculation.”

Earlier, the state Police Command had announced on its platform,
the abduction of the governor’s aide and assured members of the
public that he would be released soon.

Describing the development as unfortunate, the command vowed to
do everything to ensure the release of the governor’s aide.

The command disclosed that the state Police Commissioner, Usman
Belel, had ordered all tactical units to work round the clock and
ensure that Onuoha was released in record time.

“The CP has ordered all the tactical units, including the IGP
Monitoring Unit to work round the clock and ensure that the victim
is released in record time.”