Almajdal engineer regains freedom from abductors

…As Police Arrest Village Head’s Son, other suspects in

By Christopher Tom, Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Police Command, has confirmed the release of an expatriate enginer working for Almajdal Construction Company, handlers of the 18.95km Ikot Ibritan – Inen Ekeffe – Ikot Akpan Afaha road construction.

Recall that a fortnight ago, it was reported that unknown gunmen had abducted an expatriate, while two soldiers attached to him were shot dead instantly, in an operation eye witnesses said took place on a road construction site which cuts across Oruk Anam and Ukanafun Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.

Our correspondent gathered that the ugly incident occurred when the engineer was on a routine inspection at the road construction project site awarded by Akwa Ibom State Government.

The paper also reported that the State Commissioner of Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang-eyen, alongside top-echelon of the Ministry, paid a solidarity visit to the Management of Almajdal, where the Works’ boss appealed residents of the community to remain calm as the Police was working with the sister security agencies in and outside the State to arrest the culprits and bring them to book.

Speaking exclusively to Journalist in Uyo, the Police Public Relations’ Officer (PPRO), Akwa Ibom State Command, Odiko Macdon, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the Almajdal engineer was released last Friday night at the same spot where he was abducted.

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“Information at my disposal has it that he was released on Friday night at about 9pm by abductors in PH (Port Harcourt)”, the Police spokesman revealed.

However, the Clan Head of Inen, His Royal Highness, Obong Johnson Obosi, the border community between Oruk Anam and Ukanafun where the incident occurred, has also confirmed the release of the expatriate.

According to Obong Obosi, “despite the fact that the abductors have freed the expatriate, we would still have meeting tomorrow to explore traditional means by invoking some native injunction against the gunmen and their collaborators so that government would continue in the development projects in our community”.

The Royal Father disclosed that four persons have been arrested in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, including the son of a Village Head in connection with the kidnapping of the expatriate.

He said the Village Head was arrested and detained but the Chief was later released immediately the suspected son was nabbed by the police.

“While decrying the unacceptable dastardly incidence of the abduction, the Commissioner of Police, CP Zaki Ahmed, has ordered watertight security in all parts of the State”, a message from the PPRO read.