On Monday evening, gunmen reportedly kidnapped numerous employees of Dangote Cement who were returning from work. The attackers also shot several workers during the ambush in the Okpella area of the state.
Witnesses speaking to Peoples Gazette indicated the number of wounded and the severity of their injuries were not immediately clear.
One witness described the chaotic scene, saying, “Other people are in the bush. My colleague has bullet wounds. A coaster bus filled with staff was attacked at Okpella. Kidnappers.” The witness added, “They kidnapped our whole staff bus. Kidnappers took our staff.”
Michael Odofin, spokesperson for Okpella Cement Plc, confirmed the attack and abduction of the company’s workers. Although he did not provide specific details, he stated, “I cannot give any details right now but our workers were attacked. The attack is still fresh. We have no one killed.”
Efforts to reach the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not answer his calls or respond to a text message inquiry at the time of the report.
