Gunmen, on Wednesday, kidnapped two Nigerians, two Australians and one South African on the Edundun Bridge in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The Commissioner of Police in the State, Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, confirmed the kidnap to the News Agency of Nigeria in Calabar on Wednesday.
Ozi-Obeh said the police are working with the Nigerian Navy to ensure that the victims were released unharmed.
He said: “The police are aware of the matter.
“Five persons were kidnapped.
“They were two Australians, one South African and two Nigerians.
“The driver of the vehicle was shot dead.
“The police would ensure that the victims are released unharmed.”
An eyewitness, Okon Okon, told NAN that the kidnap happened at about 7am on Wednesday at Edundun Bridge.
According to Okon, the kidnappers came out from the bridge where they had kept their boat steaming for almost an hour before taking the persons away.
He said: “I was coming back from the farm this morning when the incident occurred.
“These kidnappers shot the driver of the vehicle and took the victims away through the river.
“The car conveying the expatriates and the two Nigerians was abandoned by the road side with the corpse of the driver.
“From all indications, it is like the expatriates were going to work at the Lafarge plant in Mfamosing.”
A statement issued by Viola Graham-Douglas, Communications Director of Lafarge, said they got information that a security incident involving some of their employees had occurred.
NAN.