by Azubuike Azikiwe

Unknown gunmen have reportedly abducted seven health workers in Rivers State.

The health workers, four medical doctors, a pharmacist, one dentist and a nurse, were in the employ of Niger Delta Development Commission in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of the state.

The quartet were taken by the gunmen at about 11pm on Saturday, 30 August, in Okolomade community.

The gunmen, came to the operation totting AK-47 rifles, which they shot sporadically to scare away indigenes.

According to a member of the community, the kidnappers came in two speed boats and escaped with the health workers through the waterways in the area.

The kidnapped health workers were in Okolomade community for the NDDC Free Medical Outreach Programme before they were kidnapped.

According to the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of NDDC, Dr. Itotenaan Ogiri, the kidnapped health workers were invited to render free healthcare services to the community for three weeks.

So far, there has been no report of the kidnappers demanding ransom.