News have emerged how Gunmen how gunmen abducted the paramount ruler of Mbo Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State.
According to Vanguard newspaper report, the traditional ruler, Okon Abang was abducted on Saturday by gunmen at about 9 p,m. The gunmen stormed Abang’s palace at Ebughu and whisked him away to an unknown destination.
However, the Akwa Ibom State Police spokesperson, Timfon John, has confirmed the abduction to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday.
The Assistant Superintendent of Police, however, stated that the police were doing everything possible to secure the release of the abducted traditional ruler.
John claimed that the Police Command was not aware of if the abductors have requested for any ransom.
Recall that Akwa Ibom State, dubbed as one of the most peaceful States in Nigeria. But of late, the once peaceful State has been witnessing rising incidents of insecurity, particularly kidnap-for-ransom since the beginning of the year.
Vanguard Newspaper had reported that the incident occurred about a week after the wife of Asuquo Okon was abducted. Okon was a prominent politician in the area and his wife was abducted in Oron, a neighbouring Local Government Area to Mbo.
Recall also that two weeks ago, it was reported how gunmen stormed a family home around 3 a.m. And abducted a four-month-old baby.
According to the report, the shocking parents of the victim were fast asleep when they heard a loud bang on the door. They gunmen pulled the door to the ground and made away with the four-month-old son.
The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Akwa Ibom Chapter, last week directed its members to withdraw their services from both public and private hospital. The directive was as a result of the kidnap of their colleague, John Esu.
According to report, Esu, who was abducted three weeks, ago is still in captivity.
Recall that in March 2023, Vanguard newspaper had reported how gunmen kidnapped husband and wife. The couple were kidnapped by their residential gate at Akpasak Estate, off Oron Road, Uyo, leaving their infants twins abandoned.
“The couple,” according to the newspaper, “went for shopping, leaving their twins babies at home. They were, however, abducted by kidnappers while honking at the gate, waiting for someone to open it.
“The suspected kidnappers,” the newspaper said, “arrived in a mini-bus and whisked them away to unknown destination.
In January, another news media, PREMIUM TIIMES reported how three persons were abducted by kidnappers while watching football. The victims were at a relaxation centre in Uyo, watching the African Cup of Nations.
However, luck ran out on the kidnappers as they were later apprehended by the State Security Service, SSS.
Premium Times last December reported how a High Court judge, Joy Unwana, was kidnapped while her security guard was shot dead. She was returning to Uyo from Oron Local Government Area, where she had a court session.
Unwana was, however, lucky as she was freed after spending five days in captivity.
source: Premium Times