Some bandits suspected to be cattle herders have reportedly abducted 10 passengers in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.
The armed attackers were said to have swooped on the travellers who allegedly boarded a vehicle at the motor park opposite the Abia State University, Uturu to Akara in Isuikwuato, on Thursday.
Their vehicle was reportedly flagged down by the bandits who marched the travellers into the bush. The identities of the victim could not be determined as of the time of filling this report.
Report has it that the hoodlums were later engaged in a gun duel by soldiers at a nearby military checkpoint but they managed to escape with their victims.
Information about the victims was sketchy at press time as the abductors had yet to call the relatives of their hostages.
In a separate incident, a woman was reported to have been abducted and raped to death by a gang of bandits suspected to be killer herders around Uturu.
It was learnt that the victim, who was said to have been stabbed by the bandits, hailed from Amagu, Mbaugwu, Uturu in Isuikwuato LGA.
The Police Public Relations Officer Abia State Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the incident, saying that efforts were on to rescue the victims.
Confirming the incidents, the Isuikwuato LGA Chairman, Chima Agbaeze, decried the activities of bandits.
Agbaeze said, “It’s so annoying that I have four security checkpoints comprising the Army, police and local vigilante on the road between Uturu and Isuikwuato, yet, such thing happened.”
Barely two months ago, commuters, including lecturers and students of the Abia State University were abducted in the same axis.
