The death of Dutch expatriate, Gieson Reuben, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rivers State Cassava Project Limited, an expatriate from the Netherlands, who drowned in Aleto River along Eleme road, East West Road following an attack by unknown gunmen on Monday, January 13, 2025 has sparked outrage on social media.
TheNewsGuru reports that Reuben who was the MD/CEO of the Rivers State Cassava Project Limited, mistakenly crashed into the river while fleeing from suspected kidnappers.
Confirming his death, the Rivers State Police Command via a statement through its Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed that the expatriate was returning when his vehicle was ambushed by gunmen at about 2030 hrs.
Iringe-Koko noted that Mobile Police personnel accompanying Reuben managed to escape, but he and the Hilux Van were submerged in the water.
She said: “The incident occurred on Monday, January 13, 2025, at about 2030 hrs, at Aleto Eleme Bridge, where unknown gunmen ambushed Reuben’s vehicle, causing him to lose control and crash into the river.
“Fortunately, the Mobile Police personnel accompanying Reuben managed to escape, but he and the Hilux Van were submerged in the water.
“A search party led by the Command’s Marine Unit was constituted to rescue the expatriate. Unfortunately, the search party’s efforts resulted in the recovery of the lifeless body of Mr Gibson Reuben and the white Toyota Hilux Van.
She added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A Adepoju, visited the scene of the incident and condemned the attack as “very barbaric.”.
Reacting to the tragic news, netizens condemned the insecurity ravaging the country as they task the Rivers State government to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
EKenechukwu wrote: “So you chased and caused the death of a man who brings industrialization to your State, then tomorrow you will cry Govt is not working. You will cry that unemployment is skyrocketing and youths are jobless. Who will want to invest in Nigeria when we act so callously.”
chimeikechukwu9 wrote: “Why won’t kidnappers be on rampage when the government Releases the arrested bandits and recruits them into the millitary ? Nigeria government has failed woefully”
effizydered001 wrote: “When will the federal government set aside for shoot aside for kidnappers and arm robbers.”
iamoshaime wrote: “Nigeria happened to him.”
peaceofmiin wrote: “Unah just they spoil this country everyday … this news now will go viral … kidnappers everywhere.”
effizydered001 wrote: “When will Nigeria be safe, Wetin be all this.”
asa____042 wrote: “Omo. Maybe he doesn’t know how to swim.”