Suspected kidnappers on Saturday, August 30, 2014 abducted 7 health workers, employed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State
The health workers, comprising 4 medical doctors, a pharmacist, a dentist and a nurse were reportedly whisked away by their abductors around 11pm in Okomolade community.
According to reports, the men armed with AK-47 rifles shot randomly, scaring away indigenes before going ahead to kidnap the health.
Punch reports:
The kidnappers, according to a member of the community, came in two speed boats and escaped with the health workers through the waterways in the area.
The situation caused confusion as some members of the community, who ran into the bush to avoid being killed, came out the following morning.
A source said on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 that the kidnapped health workers were in Okolomade community for the NDDC Free Medical Outreach Programme before they were kidnapped by the hoodlums.
According to the source, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of NDDC, Dr. Itotenaan Ogiri, who is a member of the community, invited the health workers to render free healthcare services to the community for three weeks.
It was learnt that the hoodlums took away mobile phones belonging to those living around the building where the doctors and other health workers were lodged.
However, the kidnappers have not called to demand any ransom, though efforts to reach the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, and the Head Corporate Affairs of NDDC, Mr. Ibitoye Abosede, on the matter proved futile.
