Gunmen kidnap C’ River deputy governor’s father

 

Unknown gunmen in the wee hours of Friday kidnapped the octogenarian father of the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Chief Essien Cobham, from his home in Creek Town, Odukpani Local Government Area of the state.

An uncle of the deputy governor whose name could not be immediately ascertained was equally said to have been abducted by the kidnappers.

The kidnappers were said to have entered and left the town through the Calabar waterways on speedboats at about 2am and operated for over an hour.

Our correspondent, who visited the sleepy Creek Town on Friday, learnt that the kidnappers had initially burst into the residence of the brother of the Director-General of the Directorate of Security Service, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong, but only succeeded in vandalising the building as the brother, identified as Chief Asuquo Aka, was not at home.

A source who pleaded anonymity said the heavily armed men accompanied by Alsatian dogs came in from the Bakassi axis of the waterways with two flying boats.

He said, “They broke the wall of the deputy governor’s father’s house to gain access to the building. They also vandalised the building where the younger brother of the director-general of SSS was staying. The house is believed to be a family compound. But they faced stiff resistance from security agents.”

A resident of the town, Mr. Solomon Akpan, further revealed that the kidnappers, who are suspected to have been assisted by insiders from the community, eventually made away with their victims through the creeks.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hogan Bassey, confirmed the incident but refused to give details due to security implications.

He said, “I am aware of the kidnap but for security reasons we cannot tell you what we are doing to rescue him. The state Commissioner of Police and other top officers have gone to Creek Town to see the extent of damage.  In due course, we will give you details.”