By Jimitota Onoyume & Anayo  Okoli

PORT HARCOURT— THREE Britons and a Columbian were yesterday taken hostage at Owaza junction, close to Obigbo, while a Police Corporal attached to their vehicle was shot dead by the kidnappers. This happened just as Abia State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Loveday Nwuba has been reported kidnapped by unknown persons.
He was kidnapped last Sunday in Osissioma, near Aba, the commercial city of the state.

Meanwhile, Rivers State Government has condemned the abduction of the four expatriates describing it as unfortunate.

Confirming the development to the Vanguard on phone, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Mrs. Rita Inoma Abbey, said the abduction of the expatriates happened at about 7.15 am.

She said the expatriates, who are contractors to Shell, were on their way to Afam when the kidnappers struck.
According to her, it was likely the kidnappers laid ambush for the bus conveying them.

Continuing, she said the kidnappers were many. “They were many. They shot at the Corporal. The expatriates were in a bus. They were going to Afam. They are handling a job for Shell. They were three Britons and one Columbian.” She wouldn’t, however, release the names of the hostages.

“ For security reasons, I do not want to release the names,” she added

Spokesman of Shell, Mr. Precious Okolubo, also confirmed the development. “SPDC has received reports of an armed attack on a convoy that was transporting some contractor staff to work at Aam V1 power plant. We understand that the attackers took away four expatriate staff of the contractor. We are concerned for the safety of the staff and our thoughts are with them and their families at this difficult time. SPDC is cooperating with the government and contractor and supporting efforts for their safe release,” Okolobo told the Vanguard on phone.

Meanwhile, the development has heightened tension in the state and the region as it is perceived to have shattered the peace brought about by the amnesty granted repentant militants in the region.

No group, at press time, had claimed responsibility for the abduction.

In its reaction, Rivers State Government, through the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Magnus Abe, said the sad development was capable of sending wrong signals.

“This incident, though did not happened in Rivers State,  but is capable of sending a wrong signal and thereby affecting the peaceful environment prevailing in the state,” Mr Abe declared.