The driver of a vehicle conveying four expatriates working with United Cement Company of Nigeria (UNICEM), a subsidiary of Lafarge Africa Plc, in Akansoko near Calabar Municipality of Cross River State has been shot dead and his passengers kidnapped by suspected militants .

An eye witness report said the driver had refused to stop hence they opened fire and shot him dead instantly while the four foreigners whose countries of origin have not been given yet were taken away to an unknown destination through the Quo River by Idundu bridge.

The incident which occurred yesterday at the bad portion of the Calabar-Oban road near the Idundu bridge off the Goodluck Jonathan Bypass saw some people in the quiet swampy forest area running for their lives following the sporadic gun shots from the militants, according to eye witness accounts.

An eye witness told reporters who rushed to the scene of the incident, that “at about 7am the militants attacked the vehicle which was on its way to the cement plant in Mfamosing in Akamkpa Local Council and there was so much confusion”.

An inside source in UNICEM said: “This morning as we were going to work, when we got to the bridge along Goodluck Jonathan bypass around Akansoko Community. The militants attacked the vehicle conveying MacMahon company staff, killed the driver and kidnapped four expatriates.

“Although the victims are not direct staff of UNICEM, but MacMahon company is one of the companies working in UNICEM which is like one big family, so this development is a very sad news for all of us in UNICEM”.

In a brief official reaction, the Communications Director, Lafarge Africa Plc, Viola Graham-Douglas confirmed the incident, saying MacMahon was working to ensure the safe release of those kidnapped by the gunmen.

She said: “One of our contractors, MacMahon, has informed us that a security incident has occurred on the road from Calabar involving some of their employees. MacMahon is working with the security agencies to resolve this situation”.

Meanwhile normal business has resumed in the Idundu bridge area where the incident occurred.