Gunmen on Friday evening abducted the Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Bright Abeke, in the state.
The abduction occurred less than 24 hours after gunmen issued threats of violence in the area.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred at about 7 p.m. at a hotel along Owumi Road in Sapele, where the gunmen opened fire to scare away residents and guests before seizing their target.
The gunmen were said to have headed straight for the council chairman, bundled him into one of the vehicles and fled to an unknown destination.
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It was gathered that a member of a local vigilante group, identified as Ufuoma, was shot during the attack and rushed to a nearby hospital.
Confirming the incident, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said security operatives had launched a manhunt for the suspects.
He added that the Commissioner of Police had directed the command’s special anti-kidnapping unit to deploy all available resources to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted chairman and the arrest of those responsible.
