Nigerian police rescue eight kidnapped travelers in southern state

LAGOS, Nov. 16– Nigerian police said on Wednesday that their operatives have rescued eight people kidnapped by gunmen on a highway in the country’s southern state of Cross River a day ago. Irene Ugbo, a police spokeswoman in Cross River State, said nine people were taken away by gunmen on Tuesday on a highway near Calabar, the state capital, as the gunmen emerged from…

LAGOS, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) — Nigerian police said on Wednesday that their operatives have rescued eight people kidnapped by gunmen on a highway in the country’s southern state of Cross River a day ago.

Irene Ugbo, a police spokeswoman in Cross River State, said nine people were taken away by gunmen on Tuesday on a highway near Calabar, the state capital, as the gunmen emerged from the forest and shot at vehicles to force them to stop.

Ugbo told reporters at a press briefing in Calabar that the gunmen took the nine victims to the nearby forest after the surprise attack. One of the victims managed to escape from the abductors, while the police operation later on Tuesday rescued the remaining eight victims.

Armed attacks have been a primary security threat in parts of Nigeria, resulting in deaths and kidnappings. Enditem