The Akwa Ibom Police Command stated that it had begun a manhunt for the abductors of Samuel Ekerenam, a prominent businessman, in Eket Local Government Area of the state.
Chronicle NG gathered that Ekerenam, who owns Hephzibah Mall Eket in the LGA, was abducted on Saturday after the hoodlums arrived at his shopping complex and started shooting into the air to scare people away.
A witness, Udobong Asuquo, reported on Tuesday that the businessman’s driver was killed in the process while the police officer attached to him as an orderly was severely injured before he was whisked away.
“The incident occurred at about 10:00 p.m. on Saturday and claimed the life of the driver, while the police officer attached to the kidnapped proprietor of the mall was injured,” Asuquo added.
However, a family source who pleaded not to be mentioned said the abductors had yet to have contact with the family.
He said, “We have yet to ascertain the motive of the kidnappers, whether the man was seized for a ransom or any other motive because they are yet to contact the family.”
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, confirmed the incident to our correspondent. She said, “The state commissioner of police, Joseph Eribo, has since deployed tactical operatives to comb for the abducted businessman.”
She assured the people that the police were on top of the situation and that very soon, the kidnapped victim would be rescued unharmed, noting that the perpetrators would be brought to book.
