Gunmen have abducted a driver and 18 passengers in Akwa Ibom State, the police authorities said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred last week along the Azumini boundary between Akwa Ibom and Abia states.

It was gathered that the bus had left its Uyo terminal passing through Iwukem in Etim Local Council Area of Akwa Ibom state, before the passengers were intercepted by their abductors in the Azumini area of the road.

A source who pleaded not to be mentioned told our correspondent, that the gunmen stopped the bus driver after shooting into the air, while others came out from the bush and joined in the shooting spree.

The source added that all the passengers were ordered to come out of the vehicle or be killed if they did not oblige.

“The driver was the first person to come down. Other passengers were ordered to follow suit immediately. The kidnappers moved all of them to the bush and escaped with them. The passengers’ whereabouts are not known for now,” the source said.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, confirmed the incident during a telephone conversation with Channels Television’s correspondent in Uyo on Tuesday.

“The state police command is aware and is still monitoring the situation,” she said.

“That incident happened along the Azumini area of the road after the Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. All I can say is that the police are still monitoring the situation now.”

The PPRO also confirmed a case of armed robbery attack at Akwa Ibom State newspaper corporation, publishers of the Pioneer newspaper, located at Information Drive, Uyo where a security guard was killed.

She assured that the police are working to ensure that the culprits are brought to book within the shortest possible time.