Tension has gripped Sapele and surrounding communities in Delta State following the abduction of the Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, Bright Abeke, by armed gunmen.
The incident reportedly occurred around 7:00 p.m. on Friday when about 15 armed men stormed a hotel along Owumi Road in Sapele, shooting sporadically to disperse residents before whisking the council boss away.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in a Range Rover SUV and two other vehicles, heading straight for their target before abducting him to an unknown location.
During the attack, a member of a local vigilante group identified as Ufuoma was shot and rushed to a nearby hospital, though his condition remains unclear.
Following the incident, political associates and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have gathered at the scene in shock and concern, while demanding updates on the chairman’s whereabouts.
Security operatives have since cordoned off major entry and exit points in Sapele as efforts intensify to rescue the abducted official.
The Delta State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that the Commissioner of Police has ordered the deployment of the anti-kidnapping unit to secure his release and arrest the perpetrators.
Police spokesperson SP Bright Edafe said the command is working to ensure the chairman is rescued unharmed.
The abduction comes less than 24 hours after reports of threats by suspected gunmen to launch attacks in the area, heightening fears over rising insecurity in the locality.
