By Mary Bassey, House of Assembly Correspondent
The convoy of the Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Honorable Elvert Ayambem on Sunday 28 April 2024 foiled a suspected kidnap operation along the Afi, Nde-Ogoja/Ikom highway.
The incident unfolded at about 5:PM as a group of unknown gunmen blocked the road, halting traffic in both directions.
Fortunately, Speaker Ayambem and his convoy were said to be on their way back to Ikom after attending the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Sylvester Agabi’s thanksgiving ceremony in Obudu before encountering the chaos.
Reacting swiftly, Ayambem and his team dispersed the miscreants and engaged in sporadic shooting to clear the road for stranded motorists. Their gallant efforts not only averted a potential tragedy but also restored the flow of traffic along the vital highway, ensuring the safety of travelers.
Following the confrontation, the Speaker visited the Atimaka Trailer Park in Ikom, a hub predominantly inhabited by the Hausa. He issued a stern warning to any elements with the intent of disturbing the peace of the Nde people and travelers along the highway.
He iterated that if the incidents of kidnapping persist, he will take decisive action, vowing to visit the trailer park with full force to restore normalcy.