By Godwin Otang
Two suspected members of kidnapper gangs have been arrested through the combined efforts of youths and the Police in Calabar Municipal and Etung Local Government Areas of Cross River State.
Although the two suspects have been handed over to the Police with sources saying the suspects were arrested in two separate operations at Etung and Calabar.
According to the sources, in the early hours of Friday 3rd November 2023 at about 3: am, a five-man gang broke through the ceiling into the bedroom of one female identified as Nana Brown at Etung Local Government Area and whisked her away.
The gang, after taking the victim away, had called severally on Friday with her number asking for ransom.
However, sources also disclosed that the victim (Nana Brown) at the time of this report has been rescued and one suspect arrested while others are on the run. Two of the suspects are alleged to hail from Benue State Origin; as the rescue was possible through the Police’s swift response.
Similarly, CrossRiverWatch on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at about 11:am, close to the NNPC depot in Calabar, a five-man kidnappers gang laid siege and kidnapped a senior female staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
During the operation, the gang locked up a private residence. They also locked up her (the INEC staff)’s security guard inside a refrigerator, and took the woman away in her Toyota Highlander, while leaving their own car behind.
Eventually, one of the kidnappers gang members was grabbed by the youths in the area after a chase and he is now with the anti-Cultism unit of the Police in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital.
Although CrossRiverWatch is yet to get the Police reaction to the kidnap incidents, one of the victims has been rescued, while one is still with the kidnappers, as most of the victims are also at large.
Video footage and photos from the scenes show an angry mob assaulting the suspects, while the Police try to scare the mob and arrest the situation.