Seven Health Workers Kidnapped In Rivers

Unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted seven health
workers working for the Niger Delta Development Commission in
Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The health workers; four medical doctors, a pharmacist, one dentist
and a nurse, were said to have been taken away by their captors at
about 11pm on Saturday in Okolomade Community.

It was gathered that the gunmen, who stormed the community with AK-47
rifles, shot sporadically to scare away indigenes before going for
their victims.

The kidnappers, according to a member of the community, came in two
speed boats and escaped with the health workers through the waterways
in the area.

The situation caused confusion as some members of the community, who
ran into the bush to avoid being killed, came out the following
morning.

A source said on Tuesday that the kidnapped health workers were in
Okolomade community for the NDDC Free Medical Outreach Programme
before being whisked away by the hoodlums.

According to the source, the Executive Director, Finance and
Administration of NDDC, Dr. Itotenaan Ogiri, who is a member of the
community invited the health workers to render free healthcare
services to the community for three weeks.

It was leanrt that the hoodlums took away mobile phones belonging to
those living around the building where the doctors and other health
workers were lodged.

However, the kidnappers have not called to demand any ransom, though
efforts to reach the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad
Mohammad and the Head Corporate Affairs of NDDC, Mr. Ibitoye Abosede
on the matter proved futile.