Abductors took away passengers commuting on the Ikom-Ogoja Highway in Cross River on Tuesday.
Commissioner of Police in Cross River, Mr Sule Balarabe, confirmed the abduction but said the number of victims had not been ascertained.
He added that while awaiting the number of victims from the Divisional Police Officer in the area, a tactical team, including members of the police anti-kidnap squad had been deployed in the area.
An eyewitness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that no fewer than nine persons were abducted by the gun-toting abductors between Okomita and Uyanghoa communities near Calabar.
He said the gunmen emerged from the forest in the area and shot at vehicles to force them to stop.
He added that some of the passengers sustained gunshot wounds before the gunmen moved others into the forest.
