By Peter Okutu
Sequel to the commencement of the Peoples Democratic Party’s primaries in Ebonyi State on Monday, a prominent politician and PDP member in the state, Dr. Mike Okoro, has been reported kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

The kidnap episode, which took place at 9am, at Itim village, Afikpo South local government area has provoked a lot of criticisms from different quarters in the state.

Vanguard gathered that the suspected kidnappers stormed the residence of the victim in an ash-coloured jeep, shooting sporadically to scare people of the area away before taking their victim hostage and zoomed off to an undisclosed location.

The victim, a former member of All Nigeria Party Party, is said to be an Aba-based multi-millionaire businessman who believed in sponsoring candidates for elections.

Confirming report of the kidnap, Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Dipo Ayeni, stated the command was working closely with the divisional police post at Owutu, Afikpo South local government area to ensure his release.

He said the command had mobilized several policemen to cordon off the area, with a view to fishing out the kidnappers from their hideouts.

He added: “ The kidnap saga is not connected with the ongoing PDP primaries in the state. No link at all. We are yet to establish all the necessary information about the case. We have cordoned off the area.

“What is paramount on our mind is how to rescue the victim. My men are everywhere. We are in control and I believe that by tomorrow, all the necessary information related to the saga will get to us.”

An eye-witness account had it that the kidnappers came form outside the state and were six in number.