Dutch CEO killed while escaping abductors during a kidnapping attempt in Nigeria
Police in Nigeria said that a Dutch business executive was killed in an accident while escaping an attempted kidnapping. The Dutch man was identified as Gibson Reuben, who died during the "gruesome attack," a Rivers State Police spokesperson said.
The incident started at about 8:30 p.m. on Monday, when several unidentified gunmen emerged on the Aleto Eleme Bridge at the Okulu River. Their attempt to ambush Reuben's vehicle caused "him to lose control and crash into the river," police said. The bridge has been the scene of previous ambushes and kidnapping attempts in the past.
Reuben was traveling with an armed escort from the Mobile Police, who managed to escape from the vehicle after it plunged into the water near the city of Port Harcourt. The Dutch victim was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident, and a dive team was unable to free him before he died.
"The search party's efforts resulted in the recovery of the lifeless body of the expatriate Mr Gibson Reuben and the White colour Toyota Hilux Van," police said on Thursday. "The recovery of the body and vehicle brings somber end to the rescue efforts."
Reuben was the managing director and CEO of the Rivers State Cassava Project Limited, police said. The kidnapping of individuals who are believed to have access to sums of cash has been an ongoing issue in Nigeria for decades.
Police Commissioner Aolubenga Adepoju issued a statement in which he said the attack on Reuben was "very barbaric." He has "ordered a full scale investigation with immediate arrest of the perpetrators of this reprehensible act, vowing to bring them to justice," police stated.
Adepoju took over as the police commissioner less than two weeks ago. His police career began in 1994, and has experience organizing tactical deployments, robbery prevention, and police operations.
