Gunmen Abduct Delta NLC Chairman

The Chairman of Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Goodluck Ofobruku, has reportedly been abducted by unidentified gunmen near Asaba, the state capital. Ofobruku was said to have been abducted while driving on the Ibusa axis of the Asaba-Ogwashiuku-Ughelli Road last Saturday night near Asaba. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, while confirming the kidnap of Ofobruku on Sunday in Asaba, disclosed that the state police command has already spread its dragnet in an effort to rescue the victim unhurt and possibly apprehend the criminals. Rescue efforts by the police included the combing of the bushes in the area and security surveillance across Asaba/Kwale/Ughelli axis, Inuwa added. The NLC state chairman was reportedly kidnapped last Saturday night by unknown gunmen who intercepted his official Toyota Sienna van with registration number: 'NLC 01' along the Ibusa Road portion of the Asaba-Ughelli road. The state labour leader was said to have driven out of his house behind the Immigration Office off Ibusa Road in Asaba, when he was abducted near a drinking joint in the area by the hoodlums who reportedly had a free time robbing customers at the joint with guns. They criminals were said to have been immediately attracted to Ofobruku's vehicle as he drove out of his street and immediately swooped on him, forcing him out of the car and leading him away to the nearby bush. The state NLC Secretary, Innocent Ofuonyeadi, who also confirmed the abduction, explained that the NLC state chairman drove out to buy drugs when he was ambushed. “Ofobruku's car was intercepted by the hoodlums along his street,” Ofuonyeadi said, noting that the abductors were yet to establish contact with the family of the victim as at yesterday afternoon. The victim's phone has be switched off since his abductors, who are suspected to be herdsmen, forcibly took him into the surrounding bush, with family and friends unable to speak with him, he added. Nevertheless, the state police boss, Inuwa, cautioned residents, particularly VIPs, to be conscious of their movement, and advised for more discreet use of official vehicles in order to ward off unnecessary prying eyes of kidnappers and other criminals.