•••TWO KILLED, THREE ABDUCTED
A former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, on Friday escaped an assassination attempt by some gunmen along the Calabar-Ikom expressway.
However, two people who people in the entourage of the former Minister now the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party in Cross River State died in the attack.
The Network gathered that the gun men opened fire on the vehicles in the convoy with the intent to abduct them.
Usani who was said to be with his running mate was on his way to his country home in Nko, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State when the convoy ran into the gun men.
The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, Mr Sule Balarabe, confirmed the attack to journalists on Saturday.
He said that the attack took place
between Akamkpa and Biase Local Government Areas of the state at about 4 p.m. on Friday.
The CP explained that the two killed were riding in a white Ford with Registration number AAA 41 AQ when they were ambushed by the gunmen.
According to him, three other persons were abducted by the gunmen while three members of the PRP were rescued.
“The vehicle in which they killed two persons had seven occupants including two police officers, ASP Ibor Bassey and Inspector Ebro Ebri who escaped and called for reinforcement.
“A tactical Unit was immediately dispatched to the area and three persons have so far been rescued.
“We are appealing to all community leaders and traditional rulers to help security agencies by providing us with useful information through our dedicated lines.
“These criminals are not spirits, they are human beings who live amongst them. Without useful and timely information, it will be very difficult to nip this nefarious activities in the bud,” he said.
The Media Aide to the former Minister,
David Agabi who was with the former minister in his car during the attack narrated what happened.
“We were heading towards Yakurr LGA where the governorship candidate hails from in continuation of his political activity. But around Betem community in Biase LGA of the state, we were waylaid by an armed gang in the opposite direction.
“They swooped on a white posh car, killing two occupants while large numbers of other passengers were abducted and taken away alongside one Mr Egbe Eworo Essiet.
“They mistook the former minister’s car which was next to the white car but shot the driver. Apparently, they did not quite ascertain who Usani was.
There are media reports of escalating kidnap crisis in that axis of Cross River State.
It was learnt that between November 2022 and today, more than 20 people have been kidnapped with many killed in the area.
Last Wednesday, the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs in the state, Prof Gertrude Njar was abducted and reportedly taken across the Calabar creeks.
