Gunmen Kill Businessman, Abduct Woman In Akwa Ibom

Commissioner of police (CP) in Akwa Ibom State, Waheed Ayilara, has ordered tactical operatives to immediately fish out armed hoodlums, who shot dead a popular businessman, Sylvanus Ukpong, and abducted a lady he was conveying in his car.

Ukpong, the elder brother to Comrade Cletus Ukpong, a senior journalist with the Premium Times, LEADERSHIP gathered was murdered at about 7pm at the weekend while returning from his farm on Airport Road, Uyo, the state capital.

The deceased, who was the managing director (MD) of Ukpong’s Integrated Farms and the chief executive officer of Enem and Sons Construction Firm, was said to have resisted being kidnapped by the hoodlums, before he was killed and the lady with him, whisked away.

While confirming the incident, the outgoing police public relations officer, CSP Odiko MacDon, said the police commissioner, who has commiserated with the family, has given operatives marching orders to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Describing Akwa Ibom as one of the most peaceful states in the country, the CP, assured residents of their personal safety noting that the latest incident was an isolated case.

He said, “The Commissioner of Police, is very miffed about the ugly incidents and it’s just an isolated case to dent the image of Akwa Ibom State as one of the most peaceful states in the country.

“He has ordered discreet investigations to be carried out by the Police working with other sister security agencies, and has given assurance that in no distant future, those who committed such dastardly act will be fished out and punished according to law.

“By this, we are sounding a note of warning to any criminal element still nursing any sort of crime to be ready for any police action or quit the state otherwise, firepower of security agencies will be unleashed on them for the state and the people to remain peaceful for tourists, investors and visitors.”