TheCable

Two Chinese nationals working in a mining site in Ihietutu, Ishiagu in Ivo local government area of Ebonyi, have been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

The Ebonyi state police command confirmed the incident on Thursday.

Loveth Odah, police public relations officer (PPRO) in the state, said the abducted Chinese nationals are employees of Greenfield Metals Limited which specialises in lead and zinc mining.

She said that the victims were allegedly abducted on Wednesday at the mining site.

She, however, explained that the police were yet to establish the motive behind the abduction, adding that preliminary investigation had commenced.

“We got the information yesterday, a detachment of our tactical team was despatched to the area with a view to unravelling the true situation and also to rescue the victims,” she said.

“The team is yet to return to furnish us with relevant information about the incident.

“But, I can confirm to you that we received a distress call from the area yesterday informing the police of an alleged abduction of two Chinese working in a mining site at Ihietutu in Ishiagu community.

“We are waiting for information from our men before we can make informed comments on the motive behind the alleged abduction.

“For now, we cannot say if the abduction was for ransom purposes or not because the abductors are yet to establish contacts with the company.”

She, however, urged non-Nigerian nationals working in any part of the state to ensure that they move about with armed security guards to prevent attacks by criminals.

Henry Ahanotu, managing director and chief executive officer, Greenfield Metals, said the gunmen abducted their victims at Ajirija mining site, 300 metres from the company’s life-camp, after shooting severally into the air to discourage any resistance.

He said a formal report on the incident had been lodged at the police command in the state, adding that the abductors were yet to establish contact with the company.

“The unidentified persons bearing sophisticated arms stormed our mining pit at Ajirija and shot severally before whisking their victims away,” he said.

“We are yet to establish the identity of the abductors or where they came from.”

In March, suspected gunmen had invaded the company’s life-camp at Ugwuajirija and kidnapped two Chinese nationals, who later regained their freedom after an undisclosed amount of money was paid as ransom.