Gunmen have abducted the Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Bright Abeke, in an attack that triggered panic across the community.
The incident occurred on Friday, April 10, 2026, at about 7 p.m. at a hotel along Owumi Road in Sapele, less than 24 hours after reports of threats of violence in the area heightened security concerns.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, numbering about 15, stormed the premises in a Range Rover SUV and two other vehicles, firing sporadically to disperse residents and guests.
The gunmen reportedly went straight for their target before forcefully whisking him away to an unknown destination.
During the attack, a member of a local vigilante group, identified simply as Ufuoma, was shot and rushed to a nearby hospital. His condition could not be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
Following the incident, security operatives cordoned off major entry and exit points in Sapele as efforts intensified to rescue the abducted council boss.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the abduction, stating that the command had launched operations to secure the chairman’s release.
“Confirmed. The CP has ordered that the command’s special anti-kidnapping unit deploy their arsenals to ensure that he is rescued unhurt and the suspects arrested,” he said in a WhatsApp message.
