Bandits lay ambush in Edo, abduct cement workers

Some cement workers were abducted at Okpella, Etsako West local government area of Edo state, on Monday.

The workers were in a Coaster bus heading back to Okpella community after the close of work when they kidnapped.

The gunmen who had reportedly laid ambush emerged from the bush and forced the bus to a halt before whisking the victims away.

A source within the Okpella community confirmed the incident to Daily Trust.

“Yes, we heard of it, they said they were in a Coaster bus coming to Okpella after work when they were kidnapped by gunmen. But, we don’t know the number of the workers kidnapped,” he said.

Michael Odofin, a spokesperson for Okpella Cement Plc, confirmed the attack and abduction.

“I cannot give any details right now. The attack is still fresh,” Odofin said.

Our correspondents made efforts to confirm from the police but calls and text messages to the State Commissioner of Police, CP Finsho Adegboye, and the Command’s spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, were neither answered nor text messages replied.

There are reports that the workers are from a popular cement company but Daily Trust could not independently verify as of the time of filing this report.