AGAIN, suspected militants have struck in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, kidnapping the son of a prominent Eleme community chief, Prince Awala Nta-Oluka, who is said to be in his late thirties.
Four men reportedly abducted the chief’s son from his residence at Eleme yesterday evening, thus shattering the lull in kidnapping of single individuals particularly children.
In the past weeks, militants, who demanded ransoms from victims’ parents, abducted two three-year-olds, who were later freed after widespread condemnation and pleas from individuals and groups, including President Musa Yar’Adua.
The Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Mrs. Ireju Barasua, told The Guardian last night that the gunmen abducted the chief’s son from his residence at Eleme.
Barasua said the Police were still investigating the matter to ascertain the motive for the abduction.
But sources in Eleme revealed that the abduction of the chief’s son might be connected with the staunch anti-terrorism campaign he had organised with the Eleme Petrochemical Company some of which workers were kidnapped recently.
However, no group had claimed responsibility for the abduction as at press time.