Gunmen kidnap village head in Akwa Ibom
After a fierce gun battle with security agents, Chief Mfon Udoessien, the village head of Ikot Edet in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, was on Tuesday, February 27, abducted by unknown gunmen.
Udoessien was said to have been kidnapped from his place by some unknown gunmen.
According to a resident who identified himself simply as Eno, the monarch may have been abducted following his stance against cultism in the community.
Eno said Udoessien has relentlessly been waging war against the activities of gunmen who have kidnapped no fewer than eight people in the village.
He added that the whereabouts of the monarch remained unknown as the kidnappers were yet to contact the victim’s family.
“We think the kidnappers came after the village head because of how he has been opposing their activities.
“As of now, we don’t know his whereabouts as the kidnappers are yet to contact any members of the monarch’s family,” said the village resident.
Confirming the incident, Spokesman for the State Police Command, DSP Odiko Macdon, said the monarch was whisked away in the early hours of the day.
Macdon said a meeting of local government chairmen and security chiefs in the area had been convened to address the security challenges.
“Security measures are in place; we just concluded a meeting with all the local government chairmen and the security chiefs in the state.
“That issue came up during the meeting; it is being addressed.
“The monarch kidnap happened this morning and our men went into action immediately. The DPO led a team to the place,” he added.
