THE traditional ruler of Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River, Etiyin Maurice Edet, was on Sunday night abducted by gunmen at his residence in the council area.
It was gathered that an aide to the traditional ruler was shot dead in the process of the kidnapping.
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The spokesperson of the state Police Command, SP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident but said details were unknown to her as of press time.
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A source, however, said that the traditional ruler’s aide was killed as he tried to prevent his principal from being abducted. Akpabuyo, notorious for criminal activities, is less than 15 kilometres from Calabar, the capital city of the state.
Meanwhile, Prof Patrick Egaga of the University of Calabar (Unical) has been released by his abductors after 26 days in captivity.
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Egaga who is UNICAL’s Director of Servicom was kidnapped in the institution’s staff quarters after which his abductors demanded a ransom of N50 million.
It has been reported that Calabar and its environs have witnessed an increase in cases of abduction in the past few months. The targets for abduction are usually lecturers, lawyers, medical doctors, clergymen and high-profile individuals.
