The traditional ruler of Akpabuyo Local Government Area in Cross River State, Etiyin Maurice Edet, has been reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred at the ruler’s residence, and one of his aides was fatally shot during the kidnapping.
A spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, SP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident but did not provide further details. Reports suggest that the aide was killed while attempting to prevent the abduction of the traditional ruler.
Akpabuyo is known for criminal activities and is located less than 15 kilometers from Calabar, the state’s capital. The region has witnessed various security challenges, and the abduction of a traditional ruler adds to the concerns about the security situation in the area.
The petition read, “At about 23:00 hours (11:00 p.m.) of October 10th, 2023, seven men stormed our clients’ house at Alanco axis, Osiele, Abeokuta, Ogun State. These men were fully armed with guns. They later identified themselves as police officers from the Police Zonal Command, Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos State.
“Without stating allegation of any crime against our clients, they ransacked our clients’ two-bedroom flat and took several valuables belonging to our clients. The valuables include a golden bracelet worth N750,000; a diamond earring worth N650,000; an iPhone 11 worth N400,000; a New Age power bank (20 mAh) worth N20,000; and three iPhone chargers worth N6,000 each.
“After all these items were forcefully taken at gunpoint, our clients (a total of six family members) were arrested that same night and driven to the Ifo Police Station, Ogun State.
“While at the Ifo Police station, the police officers told our clients that if they did not transfer the sum of N10,000,000, they would be killed and no one would know, since their arrest at Abeokuta was not documented.
“Afraid for their lives, our clients immediately placed emergency calls to family and friends to request financial support. Then, a total of N1,025,000 was immediately transferred to the account provided by one of the officers later identified as Officer Oladapo Olayemi.
“The account that the police officer received the money N1,025,000 is OPay 91262404.”
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a man named Samuel Soyemi detailed a terrifying encounter where men claiming to be police officers from Zone 2 in Lagos allegedly forcibly entered his home, abducted his family, and extorted over one million Naira from him. Soyemi denies the serious allegations made against him and calls for justice in the matter.
These incidents highlight the security challenges and criminal activities affecting different parts of Nigeria, calling for urgent attention and robust measures to address the issues.
