Gunmen Kill One, Kidnap Three Foreigners, Two Others in Cross River

Three foreign nationals were kidnapped at about 7a.m. yesterday while they were being conveyed to work at the United Cement Company Limited (UNICEM) factory in Mfamosing, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State. Apart from the foreign nationals, two other workers said to be Nigerians were also kidnapped. However, it is strongly suspected that another foreign national, a white man, escaped the kidnappers drag-net during the incident.

However, the driver of the bus that was conveying the foreign nationals; all white skinned persons, and other staff of Unicem, an arm of Lafarge Group, was shot and killed during the incident. The identity of the driver, believed to be a Nigeria could not be established by THISDAY as at press time. The incident occurred at Akansoko community in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, near Calabar after the kidnappers waylaid the bus carrying them to the Unicem factory. A staff of the company who pleaded not to be mentioned gave an account of his experience about the attack by the gunmen.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, who commented on the incident said three foreign nationals believed to be expatriates and two Nigerians were kidnapped. Ozi-Obeh said the police have stepped into the matter and were on the trail of the kidnappers.