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BREAKING: Gunmen abduct two Chinese expatriates in Ebonyi

chuks oti

Jun 04, 2020

Two Chinese expatriates working at a mining site in Ebonyi State have been abducted by unknown gunmen

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The abducted Chinese nationals are employees at Greenfield Metals Nigeria Limited, which specialises in lead and zinc mining.

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The incident, it was gathered, happened at Ihietutu, Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Wednesday at a mining pit close to the company's offices.

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Chairman of the company, Henry Ahanaotu said that the gunmen first shot sporadically into the air to scare away workers before proceeding to whisk away the expatriates.

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According to him the incident happened at the company's mining pit at Ajirija mining site, 300 meters from the company's Life Camp.

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Ahanaotu, who doubles as the Managing Director of the company said a formal report on the incident had been lodged with the police command in the state.

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He said the company has not made contact with the kidnappers

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"The unidentified persons bearing sophisticated arms stormed our mining pit at Ajirija and shot severally before whisking their victims away.

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"We are yet to establish the identity of the abductors or where they came from,ÔÇØ he said.

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Police spokesman, Loveth Odah confirmed the incident.

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Odah said the victims were abducted on Wednesday at the mining site adding that the Police has commenced investigation into the incident.

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"We got the information yesterday.

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"A detachment of our tactical team was dispatched to the area with a view to unraveling the true situation and also to rescue the victims.

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

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"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.

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

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"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.ÔÇØ, she said

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Odah, however, urged non-Nigerian nationals working in any part of the state to ensure they move about with armed security guards to prevent attacks and molestations from criminals and possible kidnapping or abduction.

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This is the second kidnapping invoking the company this year.

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In March, two Chinese expatriate staff were also abducted at the company's Life Camp at Ugwuajirija.

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They were later freed after an the company allegedly paid an undisclosed amount of money as ransom.

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— chuks oti

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