From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Palpable fear and tension have continued to grip motorists ad travellers as gun trotting men have again kidnapped the former accountant general of Cross River, Mrs Rose Bassey, with three others along Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja highway.
They were abducted by gunmen who laid seize on that axis of the busy highway and shot at the traveling motorists to force them to stop.
It was learnt that a popular evangelist in the state, Edim Edim Omin, was also shot during the process of abducting the four persons.
The evangelist, who escaped with bullets’ wound, is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed privale clinic in Calabar.
This happening barely 24 hours after the former chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr Omagah escpad attack by the armed men along the same axis even as the State Police Command said it had deployed tactical team, including the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Squad to that part of the road to safeguard motorists and commuters plying the highway.
A witnesses said the kidnappers, who are well armed with sophisticated weapons, shot shot sporadically into vehicles, hitting two persons in the process.
Family sources revealed that Mrs Rose Bassey was on her way to her farm, which she established at Ekpri-iko community, after Iwuru in Biase local government when the hoodlums struck and whisked her away.
She was in company of her driver and mechanic when the incident happened about 5:00pm. Mma has been into farming business since she retired from service.
The source said: “Mma has been spending some time at the farm of recent. So for the boys to pick her up leaving the rest with her showed that they know her very well and it was carefully pplanned. We are heart-broken and pary that they bring her home safely.”
Another family source, who don’t his name on print, said:”It is unfortunate that these things we hear and read outside is in our backyard now. Our highway is gone and we now travel with our heart on our hands.
“This is the only highway cutting accross almost all the major local governement areas of the state. So, if kidnappers have found raod a safe haven, then we are dommed.”
Checks revealed that the Ikom/Calabar/Ogoja highway has gradually become notorious for robbery attacks and kidnappings for ransom as over 20 persons have been abducted and ransom paid on the last two months.
Recall that passengers, motorists, politicians, medical doctors and nurses have been kidnapped at the Uyanga-Ikomita axis of the Calabar-Ogoja highway.
The abduction of the medical doctors led to industrial action by the State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) umtill their members were released.
Some victims have narrated their ordeals and revealed that the gunmen parade dangerous weapons and have boasted that they can withstand the security fire-for-fire.
Reacting, the spokesperson of the state Police Command, SP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the Tuesday’s incident, said the Command is working to see that the four abducted persons were released unharmed.
She said: “It is a sad reality for us and as I speak with you, the Commissioner of Police is heading to that axis to access situation of things himself.
