Kidnapped Expatriates Were Thai Nationals Working At State-Owned Fish Farm, Says Rivers Govt

The Rivers Police Command on Friday confirmed the abduction of four expatriates and two Nigerians in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

Angela Agabe, the Public Relations Officer of the command, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Port Harcourt that the police received the report of the incident in Buguma but details were sketchy.

She said that the police had commenced investigation into the incident.

Emmanuel Chindah, the state commissioner for Agriculture said that the four expatriates were Thai nationals working at the government owned Buguma fish farm.

He said that gunmen abducted the Thai workers and two Nigerians at 7.30 a.m. on Friday while on their way to the fish farm in Buguma. He said that the farm was managed by an Israeli firm, Omida farms.

“No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction and no ransom has been demand.

“We have reported the matter to the police and the abductors have not contacted anybody,’’ he said.

(NAN)

FRSC Deploys 300 Personnel In Rivers For Eid-El-Fitri

Rivers State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Dr Kayode Olagunju, said on Thursday that 300 personnel had been deployed for the Eid-el-fitri celebration.

Olagunju told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that the command also deployed 200 special marshals to assist the regular marshals to patrol the highways during the celebration.

“We have about 300 regular marshals on the road, while about 200 special marshals are also deployed.

“Then in terms of vehicles, we have about 20 on the highways, including ambulances and tow trucks, to remove any broken down vehicle on the highways,’’ he said.

The commander said the traffic situation in the state had been calm since the sallah celebration began as personnel deployed had been doing their work.

Olagunju said the command on Aug. 6 and Aug. 7, arrested 170 traffic offenders, adding 40 were arraigned before the Mobile Court, 37 convicted, while three were discharged.

“In terms of crashes, we have not recorded any during this period. Our men are on the road to ensure smooth flow of traffic and a crash-free sallah period,’’ he said.

Olagunju said the command was hopeful that the state would record a crash-free sallah period because of the special attention by personnel deployed to different parts of the state.

“We appeal to road users and motorists to obey traffic laws and regulations during this period. Our men will arrest people who disobeyed traffic laws and regulations,’’ he said. [NAN]