The candidate of Accord Party (AP) for Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni state constituency in the March 18 election in Rivers state, Chukwudi Ogbonna, has been abducted by gunmen.

Ifeaka Nwakiri, a relative of the politician, confirmed the incident on Tuesday morning.

He said Ogbonna was kidnapped on Monday at Rumuigbo, near Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

Nwakiri, who said the abduction is “politically motivated”, added n that Ogbonna was driving a white Mercedes car with a friend when he was kidnapped.

“The abduction has been reported to the police and other security apparatus,” he said.

“He was driving with his friend. They double-crossed him. His friend came out of the car to understand what was happening then the gunmen started shooting in the air so the young man had to scamper for his safety.

“Up till now, we don’t know his whereabouts.”

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said an update will be provided soon.