Trepidation gripped residents yesterday after a Toyota Hilux van carrying company workers, including a foreign national, plunged into the Okulu River on Monday night.
Sources revealed that the incident occurred when the vehicle’s convoy came under attack by armed hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers. The driver reportedly lost control during the ambush, causing the van to skid off the bridge and fall into the river.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the van and its occupants remain submerged as efforts to retrieve them continue.
In response, the Chairman of Eleme Local Council, Brian Gokpa, led a rescue team to the scene yesterday morning. He called on the navy and other rescue agencies to assist in recovering the van and its occupants.
Professional divers and marine police have since been deployed to aid the rescue operation. However, as of 11:00 a.m. yesterday, neither the vehicle nor the occupants had been recovered.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mr Olugbenga Adepoju, visited the scene around 11:00 a.m. and commended Gokpa for his swift action in mobilising security forces and rescue teams.
Gokpa pledged to intensify efforts to recover the missing individuals and apprehend those responsible for the attack. He also assured the public of his commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the area, promising to empower more personnel for the ongoing rescue mission.
The bridge, located on the Eleme axis of the East-West Road, has been under significant strain due to vandalism, including the removal of protective railings, which has created a hazardous environment. Also, mining activities and construction work on a new bridge by Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) have exacerbated the situation.
Reports suggest that Monday’s incident is not isolated, as there have been previous kidnapping attempts on the bridge, with suspects often using the river as an escape route.The search and rescue operation remains active as authorities intensify efforts to retrieve the van and its occupants. The incident has also sparked concerns about the safety of travellers on the East-West Road and the urgent need for enhanced security measures to prevent further attacks. (Guardian)
