Gunmen abduct paramount ruler, kill son in Cross River; kidnapped UNICAL don reportedly released
Armed welding gunmen in the wee hours of Monday, December 11, 2023, kidnapped the Paramount Ruler of Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State, HRH Etinyin Lawrence Nya Edet.
The Royal father who hails from Esuk Mba, a community viewed as one of the dens for men of the underworld, was whisked away from his house.
The kidnappers who were reported to have been armed to the teeth also shot the Paramount Ruler’s younger son who tried shutting the door to prevent them from gaining access to the house.
The reason for his abduction is unknown at the moment but a yet-to-be-verified report claims he was assisting security agencies to comb criminal hideouts in his domain.
The Cross River State Command of the Nigerian Police Force has since confirmed his abduction.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Irene Ugbo assured that the force and other security agencies are working in senergy to secure his safe release. “The police are working to secure his release,” she said.
Recall that a traditional leader, Ndabo Aloysius in Idebe- Efut area of Akpabuyo months ago was trailed to Calabar and killed for allegedly giving information to security operatives.
The Akpabuyo Paramount Ruler’s kidnapping is coming less than five days after the Clan Head of Belegete Community of Obanliku Local Government Area of the State, Chief Ogweshi Francis was kidnapped by suspected Ambazonian militants who sacked the community.
In another development, a reliable source have confirmed to newsmen that a Professor at the Department of Special Education, University of Calabar (UNICAL) who was kidnapped over 25 days ago, Professor Patrick Egaga, has been released though Police PPRO, SP Irene Ugbo, said she is yet to confirm the release but will do so and revert to the public.
“I will get back to you, let me find out,” she said. Although sources from the University of Calabar also acknowledged the professor’s release but declined official comment on the issue.
Egaga, who is the Director of SERVICOM, was abducted on the 12th of November, 2023 at his residence at the University of Calabar staff quarters around 8:pm, is said to have regained freedom a few days ago.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
