Security operatives in Abia have started a manhunt for the abductors of a Chinese national working at a quarry in Lokpanta, Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.
The Chinese, Mr Li Peiyin, a site manager at the quarry, left the site on May 31, but did not return.
“Li left the quarry in a caterpillar machine.
“The caterpillar machine was seen with the key in its ignition.
“The man has military security operatives attached to him, but on that day he did not drive out with them.
“Joint efforts between the police and the military have been emplaced to rescue him,’’ a highly reliable police source said on Sunday.
The source said police had yet to ascertain whether it was a case of abduction or kidnapping, he said.
“It is kidnapping when ransom is demanded but at the moment, nobody has called to ask for ransom, so it is still regarded as a case of abduction.
“Our worry is why the man should drive out in a caterpillar without his security attaches,’’ the source rued.