Spate of kidnapping on the increase in CRS
Emmanuel Alfred
The spate of kidnapping in Cross River State of Nigeria has been on the increase since last year 2021.
Reports reaching Newsdotafrica has it that men of the underworld have abducted the Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon Surveyor Gertrude Njar.
The Commissioner was allegedly kidnapped with one other person on Wednesday morning, February 1, 2023, around Mayne Avenue by Atamunu axis in Calabar South Local Government Area of the State.
Mr. Sunday Modim who witnessed the incident said she was whisked away by gunmen claiming to be military personnel at about 8:00am demanding to know why she was driving a car with a covered number plate.
Modim said while “Surveyor Njar was trying to explain and also put out some desperate calls to some top government officials to come to her aid, the kidnappers abruptly stopped her calls, dragged her into her official vehicle and whisked her away to an unknown destination”.
Another eyewitness, who spoke under the condition of anonymity said another person, a yet-to-be-identified lady was also kidnapped by the same gunmen at about 9:00am on that same day at Mayne Avenue.
Meanwhile, a team of operatives discovered the Commissioner’s shoes on the track used by her abductors into the creeks in Calabar South.
This is coming after suspected kidnappers abducted Kenneth Abang, an Aide to the Member Representing Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency, Hon. Chris Agibe, and his relative, Eunice Abang were kidnapped on Monday, January 30, 2023, at Betem community in the Biase Local Government Area of the State with the kidnappers of the Abangs demanding the sum of N60 million as a ransom for their release.
Elsewhere, A former Local Government Chairman and Commissioner, Ntufam Donatus Etim and a Director at the State’s Fire Service Unit were shot at different locations along the same Calabar-Biase Highway on Saturday, January 28, 2023.
Etim was said to be in the company of his friend while returning to Calabar after attending a burial ceremony at the Central Senatorial District of the State when the hoodlums opened fire indiscriminately against travellers and the bullets hit one of his legs and the person in his car. The duo are currently receiving medical attention at one of the private hospitals.
Confirming the incidents, SP Irene Ugbo, Police spokesperson in Cross River State said a crack team has been sent to free the victims.
