Residents of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, woke up yesterday to discover an increased presence of troops in some parts of the city.

The deployment of troops followed the abduction of a Nigerian Production Supervisor with Elf Petroleum Company Limited, Mr. Peter Agwuma, last night.

He was kidnapped by unknown men on his way from church around 8.30pm barely twelve hours after a Pakistani construction worker was kidnapped in Ogoniland, also in Rivers State.

The fear of more kidnappings has led to the increase in military presence.

The troops virtually took over the former Eleme Petrochemicals at Indorama in what was tagged a “routine” military exercise.
The Public Relations Officer of the Second Amphibious Brigade in Port Harcourt, Major Sagir Musa, said residents and visitors should not panic when they see the movements as it was meant not to scare anyone.

“The deployment of troops to Eleme Petrochemical Company is a normal and routine exercise by the Joint Task Force to ensure safety of lives and properties of the company and surrounding inhabitants. People should not panic, it is a conscious and continuous effort aimed at providing an enabling environment for law abiding citizens to carry out their lawful business in a secured and peaceful environment in Rivers state,” he explained.

Agwuma was allegedly picked at Iwofe road area by Agip Road. Since he was picked, nothing has been heard of him.
Confirming the story, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mr. Felix Ogbaudu said “there is no news at all on the incident since he was taken away. Nobody or group has claimed responsibility”.

Also responding to inquiries, the Head of Corporate Affairs of Elf in Nigeria, Mr. Fred Ohwawha confirmed that their staff was kidnapped but that they do not know those.

“We do not know the motive of the people who kidnapped him and we do not want to speculate. We are trying to do our best. We have been in touch with the family and the police on the matter,” he said.