Gunmen abduct UNIPORT lecturer, attack three journalists

Unknown gunmen have abducted Jones Ayuwo, a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), and attacked three journalists of the Rivers State Television (RSTV).

According to NAN, Ayuwo, a lecturer in the department of linguistics and communications studies, was kidnapped on Sunday night along Andoni-Ogoni road in the state.

The victim was said to have been returning from a meeting with members of his local language Bible translation committee when he was attacked.

Ayuwo, whose wife is the bursar of UNIPORT, also serves as a member of the governing council of Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, Port Harcourt.

It was gathered that the three journalists, who had covered the committee’s meeting, were also attacked while returning from the event in separate incidents.

The journalists had their phones, video camera and other valuables forcefully taken from them by the hoodlums.

Samuel Kpenu, UNIPORT’s spokesman, who confirmed the abduction, said no contact had been established with the suspected kidnappers.

“However, the university is on top of the game, and has already contacted and sympathised with the family and promised to stand by them,” he said.

The development comes at about the same time when Aaron Ikuru, the traditional ruler of Ikuru town in Andoni local government area of the state was also abducted by gunmen.

An eyewitness said the traditional ruler was forcefully taken away from his palace on Sunday.

Nnamdi Omoni, Rivers police command spokesman, confirmed the monarch’s abduction but noted that detailed information about the incident would be made public in due course.

“The command has received the report of the abductions but we have yet to get the full details of the events,” he said.