Kidnapping: Police Nab One Suspect As Two More Kidnapped In 2 Days

By Jonathan Ugbal and Patrick Obia

The police command in Cross River State on Wednesday arrested a suspect linked with the abduction of Mr. Joe Offiong, a staff of the safety department of Lafarge HOLCIM, producers of Lafarge cement in the state.

Offiong was kidnapped in August and was only released following the payment of ransom to his abductors.

And, the police command, in a press statement signed by the public relations officer, DSP Irene Ugbo said the suspect worked “in the farm of the victim” and has led “to the release of the victims.”

The arrest is part of the renewed onslaught occasioned by the launch of “Operation Murky Waters” by the Police which the statement said has at the core of its mission to “apprehend and prosecute violators of peace and all criminal elements making the State safe for Citizens,” is even as it sought the cooperation of residents in the state.

Despite talking tough on Wednesday, two were kidnapped on Thursday in Odukpani and Calabar South Local Government Areas.

In Calabar South, a cow hide (popularly called kpómö) seller, Promise Inyang Edet was kidnapped at about 6:00AM on Thursday morning with reports suggesting her husband was shot.

The incident occurred at her residence in Ibesikpo street with the matter reported at the Mbukpa police station.

Also, on Thursday evening at Okurikang in Odukpani, an unnamed man was kidnapped with no information shared concerning plans for release.

UPDATE: 09:32AM 5/09/2020 – The victim of the incident at Okurikang has been identified as one Mr. Williams, a popular entrepreneur who owns and operates a palm kernel processing factory.