Police launch operation to rescue 5 kidnapped workers

The Cross River Police Command said on Thursday that it had launched an operation to rescue five construction workers kidnapped on Wednesday.

Two Australians, one South African and two Nigerians, all staff of Machmahon Construction Company, were seized at Edundun bridge in Akpabuyo Local Government Area.

Macmahon Construction Company is one of the contracting firms to Lafarge Holcim Cement Company in Calabar.

The police spokesperson in the state, ASP Irene Ugbo, disclosed that the command had deployed a team of intelligence officers to strategic places across the state to rescue the victims and arrest the kidnappers.

“As we speak, the command has already launched a manhunt for the rescue of the expatriates and the two Nigerians that were kidnapped yesterday on their way to work.

“The driver of the car was shot dead while the two Australians, one South African and two Nigerians were taken away to an unknown destination.

“We are not resting on our oars in the manhunt for the gang.

“The police will do its best to ensure that the victims are released unharmed and the kidnappers arrested,” he said.

Ugbo, however, appealed to the people to give useful information to the police that would assist in the fight against crime in the state.