By Nwabueze Okonkwo

Gunmen suspected to be  kidnappers for ransom have abducted an Onitsha-based businessman simply identified as Abu Okafor.

Although a police source confirmed, yesterday, that the victim  had been  rescued by men of  Anambra State  Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, within 24 hours of the abduction, the incident occurred at about 8.00 p.m. along Enugu Road, GRA, Onitsha  when the four-man kidnap syndicate struck as he came out from a  drinking parlour to ease himself.

According to the source, the victim  was the owner of a filling station at ‘33’ area of Onitsha suburb..

It was gathered that the gunmen might have trailed him  to the bar, abducted  him and speed off.

Meanwhile, the  vehicle that was used to take him away was said to have been  seen at a compound in ’33’ and a joint team of  police and soldiers stormed the compound, recovered the vehicle and arrested seven suspects without the victim at the first attempt. But on a second rescue operation carried out by SARS, the victim was reportedly rescued, even as there was not clue as to whether his relations paid ransom.

The Police Area Commander for Onitsha, Ezekiel Philip, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, who  confirmed the incident, on phone yesterday, told newsmen to contact the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Central Police Station, CPS, Onitsha, Mr. Isa Abubakar, for details.

When contacted, Isa also told newsmen  that the victim had been rescued, adding that the suspects had been transferred to SARS headquarters, Awkuzu.