The Police in Ebonyi State on Thursday, June 4, confirmed reports on the kidnap of two Chinese miners in the state.
The Chinese nationals were working in a mining site in Ihietutu, Ishiagu, in Ivo Local Government Area of the when they were abducted on Wednesday.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ebonyi, Loveth Odah, said the abducted Chinese nationals are employees of Greenfield Metals Limited with a specialty in lead and zinc mining.
Odah said the police were yet to establish the motive behind the abduction, adding that preliminary investigation had commenced.
“We got the information yesterday and a detachment of our tactical team was despatched to the area with a view to unravelling the true situation and also to rescue the victims.
“The team is yet to return to furnish us with relevant information about the incident.
“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 nationals working in a mining site at Ihietutu in Ishiagu community.
“We are waiting for information from our men before we can make informed comments on the motive behind the alleged abduction.
“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.”
The police advised non-Nigerian nationals working in any part of the state to ensure that they move carry armed security along with them to prevent attacks by criminals.
The Managing Director of Greenfield Metals, Henry Ahanotu, said the gunmen abducted their victims at the Ajirija mining site, 300 metres from the company’s life-camp, after shooting severally into the air to discourage any resistance.
He explained that the abductors were yet to establish contact with the company.
“The unidentified persons bearing sophisticated arms stormed our mining pit at Ajirija and shot severally before whisking their victims away.
“We are yet to establish the identity of the abductors or where they came from.” Ahanotu said.
In March, suspected gunmen invaded the company’s life-camp at Ugwuajirija and kidnapped two Chinese nationals. They were later released after a ransom was paid.
