Gunmen abduct former permanent secretary of Akwa Ibom state

By EZEIGWE ARINZE

A former Permanent Secretary of Akwa Ibom State, Ignatius Brown has been abducted in his residential area while returning home after a church programme. 

The retired secretary who hails from Ehitan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state and has been living in Abak LGA of the state, whilst serving as the Chairman of Saint John’s Catholic Church, Abak LGA was said to have been abducted a few meters from his home after a church meeting.

An eye witness who identified himself as Mr Aniefiok Marcus, told pressmen in Uyo, that the abductors trailed the victim from his church along, Abak-Ikot Ekpene road before overtaking his driver as he approached his place of residence.

He added that the hoodlums had overpowered his driver and shot sporadically in the air to scare off commuters and other passersby. 

He said, “When they (the 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 however added that the car was later recovered abandoned along the Abak-Ekparakwa road, after leaving with the victim to an unknown location.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that a suspect has been arrested.

Macdon said: “We have received that report already, and as we speak, preliminary investigation is ongoing. The Commissioner of Police, 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.
He expressed optimism and assurance that the captive would regain his freedom soon.