Gunmen have abducted a retired secondary school Principal-General, Akparawa Ezekiel Paul in Ikot Abasi Akpan, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, demanding N20 million ransom.
Paul was seized from his compound near the Community Civic Center on Sunday by 7 a.m, while preparing he was to go for Mass at St. Pius X Parish.
Source who spoke under anonymity said the hoodlums after laying ambush in the compound for their prey, waylaid their victim on the day of the incident.
According to the source, “Akparawa Ezekiel Paul was kidnapped on Sunday around 7 a.m, when he came out of his house in the morning.
“He was doing some domestic chores preparatory in going for Mass at his Parish, St. Pius X Parish, when these boys who waited around the compound without his knowing swooped on him.
“He was blind-folded and dragged to where they parked their motorcycle on the road by about five persons, despite the victim was shouting for help.
“The motorcycle was ridden by one “Taller” accompanied by two others who escorted the victim to an unknown destination.
“The victim’s wife, Mrs. Mary Ezekiel on hearing the dragging outside, and noticing the action in the compound raised an alarm for help.
“It was the alarm that attracted the neighborhood to come out but before then, the victim was already whisked off by his captors in a motor-bike.”
Meanwhile, some members of the criminal gang have been arrested, one of them nick named “Popular” has bad influence in the area nicknamed “Taller.”
Ikot Abasi Akpan, located along Etinan-Ekparakwa Road, is one of the communities where cultism and kidnapping have continued to thrive in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom with a large youth population that usually displays bravado in social vices for over three years now.
Due to their activities, small scale businesses have closed shops for fear of being attacked, thereby prompting residents to appeal for a Police post to checkmate the activities of criminals and other vices along Etinan-Ekparakwa Road as well as such adjoining communities as Ekpuk, Ikot Ekpaw, Nya Odiong, Ikot Essen, Ikot Abia Enin and Ikot Obio Nso, among others.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Timfon John, when contacted on the matter said the police were aware and are working to rescue the victim.
“The police are aware and strategic efforts are still ongoing to arrest the culprits,” John said.
Reports by Dennis Udoma, a journalist in Uyo
