Police Intensify Search For Kidnapped Akwa Ibom Politician

Anxiety has persisted in the family of Chief Eyo Okon Edet, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose whereabouts remain unknown 11 days after he was seized by armed hoodlums, who stormed his Filling Station along Marina Road in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and whisked him away.

Chief Edet, popularly called Eyo Aswang, who was the Deputy Coordinator of Divine Mandate (DM), a  Campaign Organisation of Governor Umo Eno during the electioneering campaign in the State, was taken along the estuary of the Oron coastal waters, while the Sienna vehicle used in the operation was set ablaze on the beach before sailing with the victim through the sea.

A family source, who would not want to be mentioned, lamented that “everyone in the family including well wishers are in grief over the incident especially when we could not ascertain the motive behind his abduction, because for over 10 days since he was kidnapped, they did not establish contact to demand for ransom, as is always the case when kidnappers carry out such operation for cash.”

He added that prior to the kidnap, the chairman of EyoTech Oil Nig Ltd “never had any issue that we are privy to, for them to embark on such evil mission of kidnapping him.”

The source appealed to security agencies to spread their dragnents, working in collaboration with the Marine Police, to rescue the victim alive.

However, the Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko Macdon, speaking with LEADERSHIP on Wednesday, condemned the resort to kidnapping for cash or settling scores, warning that “there is no justification to kidnap fellow human for any reason.”

Although he stated that he would not disclose the operational strategy put in place to rescue the PDP chieftain alive, the Police image maker assured that efforts were on top gear to get Edet out of the kidnappers’ den, as well as get the perpetrators apprehended with a view to bringing them to book.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Olatoye Durosinmi, according to Macdon, “has been working frantically to ensure the kidnap victim regains freedom, and the perpetrators arrested and brought to book.

“The CP is on top of his game because he has zero tolerance for any form of crime and criminalities in the state, and has deployed more tactical resources to ensure the man is rescued unharmed and the state safe for all.”

The PPRO further warned criminal elements to change their ways or be ready to face the superior fire power of security operatives.