Chairman Sapele Local Government Area, Bright Abeke
By Victory Oghene
The chairman of Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Bright Abeke, is yet to regain his freedom hours after being abducted by gunmen.
The gunmen carried out the attack less than 24 hours after they issued threats of violence in the area, raising concerns over growing insecurity.
The gunmen said to be over 15 in number, reportedly stormed the premises in a Range Rover SUV and two other vehicles, shooting sporadically to disperse residents and guests.
They were said to have gone straight for their target before forcefully taking him to an unknown destination.
Sources squealed that the council chairman was abducted at about 7pm on Friday at a hotel along Owumi Road in Sapele, as the attackers fired gunshots.
A member of a local vigilante group, identified simply as Ufuoma, was reportedly shot during the attack and rushed to a nearby hospital.
His condition could not be confirmed as of press time.
In a bid to restore normalcy and rescue the local government chairman, security operatives have cordoned off major entry and exit points in Sapele and its environs.
The Commossioner of Police in Delta State, Yemi John Oyeniyi has ordered that the command’s special anti-kidnapping unit deploy their arsenals to ensure that he is rescued unhurt and the suspects arrested..
