Gunmen Kidnap Akwa Ibom Ex-Perm Sec, Police Arrest Suspect

Police in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital have confirmed the arrest of one suspect in connection with the abduction of Sir Ignatius Brown, a former permanent secretary during the era of Chief Godswill Akpabio, as the state governor.

Our correspondent gathered that Brown, the chairman of Saint John’s Catholic Church Council, Abak Local Government Area, was seized along Udokpo street, close to his home while returning from  church meeting.

According to an eye witness, Aniefiok Marcus, “the gunmen trailed him from the Saint Joh’s Catholic Cathedral along Abak-Ikot Ekpene Road, and overpowered the driver close to the house at Udokpo street, after shooting sporadically to scare away other vehicles and commuters on the road.

“When they (the kidnappers) succeeded in halting the Toyota RAV4 SUV of Sir Brown, they bundled the driver out, hijacked the vehicle and sped away with him lying down on the floor of the car.”

The car, according to him, was later recovered abandoned along the Abak-Ekparakwa road, after disappearing with the victim to an unknown destination.

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The retired permanent sectary, it was learnt, hailed from Etinan local government area, and had been living in Abak, for many years.

Confirming the incident yesterday, the police public relations officer, Odiko Macdon, said one suspect was already in their custody volunteering intelligence on to get at the criminals and free the victim.

He said, “We have received that report already, and as we speak, preliminary investigation is ongoing. The commissioner of Police (CP), Olatoye Durusinmi, has detailed the officer-in-charge of kidnapping and other tactical teams to ensure that the victim was successful rescued and reunited with his family.

“Based on the CP’s instructions, a lot has already been done. We have one person in our custody who is helping us with the necessary information, and I believe that the kidnapped victim will soon regain his freedom.”