GUNMEN suspected to be kidnappers on Friday night abducted the World President of the Youth Wing of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), the apex socio-cultural organization of the Urhobo people worldwide, Comrade Ovie Igho Anthony.
Our Correspondent was reliably informed that the youth leader was kidnapped at a gun point at about 9pm while returning from a meeting held at the Urhobo Cultural Centre in Warri to Abraka, where he resides, when the gunmen laid ambush on him along the PTI Effurun/Abraka road.
Anthony, along four other members of the union were travelling on the official bus of the youth wing of the UPU otherwise known as Ighelle R’ Urhobo when they ran into the hoodlums who robbed them of all belongings, before disappearing into the night with their victim.
A source who pleaded for anonymity told our correspondent that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has been briefed of the incident and has called security chiefs in the state to ensure that he was rescued immediately.
Confirming the abduction of the Urhobo youth leader, UPU President General, Chief Joe Omene when contacted stated that the victim was returning from an Urhobo youth meeting in Warri in company of three others when the gunmen struck.
A friend of the victim, Eric Okunima confirmed the incident to our correspondent, adding that the hoodlums had not established any contact with the family.
DSP Celestina Kalu, Spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command also confirmed the development when contacted.
According to her, men of the anti-kidnapping team and military personnel as well as local vigilante groups have been dispatched to rescue the foremost Niger Delta youth leader.
The police Image-maker also warned those behind the abduction to immediately free him before they are tracked down.
His whereabouts remained unknown even at the time of filing this report.
The PTI Effurun-Eku-Abraka route has become safe haven for gunmen especially at night due to the bad state of the road as several persons have been kidnapped along the road in recent past.
