…Condemns Abduction of Expatriates At Owaza

The Rivers State Government has condemned in strong terms the abduction of four expatriates at Owaza, Abia State, in the early hours of yesterday.

The Secretary to Rivers State Government, Mr Magnus Abe, disclosed government concern to newsmen yesterday, shortly after an emergency security meeting which reviewed security situations in neighbouring communities between Rivers and Abia State.

Mr Abe, who described the kidnap of the four expatriates as unfortunate, said the incident which happened at a border community with the state may be sending a wrong signal to the public.

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

To forestall further occurrence, Mr Abe said security operatives in Rivers State would henceforth be working with their Abia State counterpart to make the area safe.

He also noted that efforts were being intensified to ensure the safe release of the expatriates and to ensure that the perpetrators of the act are apprehended and brought to book 

The SSG explained that the state government has in the past two years worked hard to achieve an improved level of security in the state and would not fold its hands to watch the lawlessness of miscreants in any neighbouring state affect the law abiding residents of Rivers State.

Mr Abe used the opportunity to advise the people of Rivers State, particularly those using the Port Harcourt-Aba road, to other states,    to be careful as the axis has been particularly unsafe for Rivers indigenes either patronizing the commercial opportunities in Abia or going about their lawful duties in other states along the axis.