A driver of the Akwa Ibom State Transport Company, AKTC, alongside his 18 passengers have been abducted by unknown gunmen along Azumini, a boundary town between Akwa Ibom and Abia states.

It was gathered that the incident occurred last Wednesday when the AKTC bus left Uyo terminal passing through Iwukem in Etim council area before the driver and the passengers were intercepted by their abductors at the Azumini axis of the road,

The Police public relations officer, ASP Timfon John, who confirmed the incident said the situation is being investigated.

It was gathered that the gunmen stopped the driver of the vehicle after shooting into the air.

According to a source, “All the passengers were ordered to come out from the vehicle or be killed and they obliged.

“The driver was the first person to come down and other passengers were ordered to follow immediately. The kidnappers moved all of them to the bush and escaped with them. The whereabouts of the passengers is not known for now.”

The PPRO, while reacting to the incident said: “Yes, that incident happened along Azumini axis of the road after Etim Ekpo local government area.

“All I can say is that the Police is still monitoring the situation now.”