Gunmen Abduct Retired Permanent Secretary in A’Ibom
Okon Bassey in Uyo
A former Permanent Secretary in Akwa Ibom state civil service, Sir Ignatius Brown has been kidnapped in Abak Local Government Area of the state.
The victim, who is the Chairman, Saint John’s Catholic Church Council, Abak LGA was reportedly abducted few metres away from his home on Monday.
Eyewitness said the incident occurred while Brown was returning home after having a church meeting with members of the church in the evening.
The retired Permanent Secretary who hailed from Etinan Local Government Area, had been living in Abak, for many years before the incident occurred that fateful day.
An eye witness, who identified himself as Mr. Aniefiok Marcus, told Journalists in Uyo yesterday that the hoodlums trailed Brown from the church along Abak-Ikot Ekpene road and overtook his driver some few metres away from his house.
“They (hoodlums) trailed him from the Saint John’s Catholic Cathedral along Abak -Ikot Ekpene road, and overpowered the driver close to the house at Udokpo street, after shooting sporadically to scare away other vehicles and commuters on the road.
“When they (kidnappers) succeeded in halting the Toyota RAV4 SUV of Sir Brown, they bundled the driver out, hijacked the vehicle and sped away with him lying down on the floor of the car,”he stated.
However, he said his car was later recovered abandoned along the Abak-Ekparakwa road, after disappearing with the victim to an unknown destination.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon who confirmed the incident disclosed that one suspect had been arrested and helping the command with necessary information to track down the other kidnappers.
“We have received that report already, and as we speak, preliminary investigation is ongoing. The Commissioner of Police (CP), Olatoye Durusinmi, has detailed the Officer-in-Charge of kidnapping and other Tactical teams to ensure that the victim is successfully rescued and reunited with his family.
“Based on the CP’s instructions, a lot had already been done. We have one person in our custody who is helping us with the necessary information, and I believe that the kidnapped victim will soon regain his freedom,” he said.
