By Christian George
Bayelsa State police command has confirmed the abduction of a Sterling Bank operations manager, Nneka Enuka Ugo Anochie.
The abduction occurred when the bank senior staff was on her way home after the close of business around the Kpansia axis of Yenagoa, the state capital.
Residents of the area expressed shock as the road has several checkpoints with armed security operatives manning them.
The State Commissioner of Police, Romokere Ibani confirmed the incident during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters.
He explained that the bank staff was abducted by four armed men who appeared in military camouflage on June 18, around 8 am.
He added that the command was alerted of the incident and they swung into action only for the suspects to abandon their Lexus jeep and made away with the victim.
In his words, “On the 16th of June, at 8 am, four armed men dressed in military camouflage, operating with a red Lexus jeep, abducted Mrs Nneka Enuka UgoAnochie, along Otiotio Road, in Yenagoa Local Government Area, while driving to her office.
“The police were alerted, and we embarked on a rescue mission, but the kidnappers abandoned their vehicle and whisked away their victim; the vehicle with registration number BWR 552 AW was recovered on East-West Road, and we have intensified our efforts in ensuring that she is rescued unhurt.”
However, a source said that the victim was warned to relocate from the area which is adjacent to the residence of the arrested celebrated kidnappers, John Ewa, aka John Lyon, and Emmanuel Agase.
Also, operatives of Operation Puff Adder and the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Police Command had reportedly provided security to her residence, but the arrangement was altered after she complained about the cost of logistics, according to Daily Post.
“We warned her to relocate for some time because our intelligence report showed that she was being monitored to be abducted,” the source said.
