Gunmen on Monday night reportedly abducted an unknown number of persons around the Uvwiamuge axis of the Ughelli/Agbarho section of the East-West Road in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Eyewitnesses said the hoodlums numbering over 20 operated for about 30 minutes, adding that they fled the scene with about eight persons after a brief gun battle with policemen.

Some commuters however claimed that only four people were abducted by the gunmen and were taken into the thick bush along the highway. Several vehicles were said to have been abandoned by motorists while others reversed to avoid being victims.

Confirming the incident, the Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke said only one person was kidnapped due to the timely intervention of his men, adding that investigations were already ongoing to arrest the perpetrators and rescue the victim.