Tragedy struck Friday night, May 6, 2016, when gunmen suspected to be kidnappers whisked away the world president of the youth wing of the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), Ovie Igho Anthony.
UPU is the apex socio-cultural organization of the Urhobo people which make up the central senatorial district of Delta State.
It was learnt that the youth president was kidnapped at 9.30pm at gunpoint while returning from a meeting in Abraka, Ethiope East council area of the state.
He was said to have been ambushed by the gunmen and whisked into their vehicle along the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI)/Abraka road, the suburb of Warri metropolis.
He was said to be traveling on the official bus of the youth wing with four other youth executives of the union when they ran into the gang who robbed them and thereafter disappeared with their president into the dark night.
It was, however, learnt that the governor of the state, Ifeanyi Okowa, has got wind of the development and has briefed security operatives to ensure he is released unhurt.
Although the hoodlums have not established contact with the family, the State Police Public Relations officer, Celestina Kalu, confirmed the development.
She said 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.
His whereabouts remained unknown at the time of filing this report.
