Gunmen abducted Ms. Joan Onyemaechi, a former commissioner for Technical Education in Delta State, from the premises of King Jesus and I Church in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, yesterday. Onyemaechi, who is also a former member of the House of Representatives, was taken during a church service.
The attackers killed two persons, one of whom was a police orderly attached to the ex-lawmaker, while another victim, said to be an innocent passerby, was hit by a strayed bullet and died on the spot. Another police orderly and Onyemaechi’s driver sustained gunshots wounds.
From eyewitness accounts, the gunmen who stormed the church off DBS Road started shooting sporadically. In confusion, Onyemaechi was dragged into her Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, and whisked away. 
The abduction was confirmed by the Delta Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who said: “Two persons, including a policeman, were killed in the incident. Only the former lawmaker was kidnapped.
The brazen attack has raised fears over security in the region, with calls made for security operatives to be more vigilant, as well as for law enforcement agencies to quickly respond to ensure the safe return of Onyemaechi.
