Residents of eight villages in Mkpat Enin Local Government area of Akwa Ibom State have deserted their communities for kidnappers who have terrorised the villages in the last two years, killing, maiming and abducting many victims in the area.
The villages are Ikot Abasi Akpan, Ikot Obio Nso, Ekpuk, Nyadiong, Minya Ntak, Ikot Ekpenyong, Ndon Uyo and Ikot Esen.
It was gathered that the kidnappers have formed a strong gang from neighbouring Etinan Local Government area and kept a secret cell in Ikot Abasi Akpan and the forest within the locality where victims are caged for ransom.
According to sources in the community, victims of kidnapping in the last one year include a Catholic Priest, Rev Father Alphonsus Uboh, a medical doctor and health workers in the hospital located in Ekpuk, schoolteachers, businessmen and prominent indigenes who visit the villages from their stations in the cities.
Investigation reveal that a medical doctor was abducted in the theatre while carrying out surgery in the community cottage hospital in Ikot Abasi Akpan, as the hoodlums stormed the hospital in a motorcycle convoy and whisked him away.
Another victim was a popular television evangelist and founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Apostle John Okoriko. He was abducted in the church premises while conducting counselling, but later regained freedom after four days in captivity.
Other victims include a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Cletus Okodi, from Ikot Obio Nso and the pioneer General Manager of Atlantic FM Radio, station late Macaulay Ufot who was abducted and killed in the kidnappers den.
An indigene of Nyadiong village who pleaded anonymity said some of the victims were killed by the kidnappers in their custody as negotiation for ransom from relatives was ongoing.
He mentioned the kidnapping incident where a distributor of beer and other drinks in the area was kidnapped and caged in a particular house in Ikot Abasi Akpan village. But, unfortunately, he noted, the victim died in their custody.
“The list of victims is endless in the last two years. But more than 28 prominent personalities across Mkpat Enin Local Government and neighbouring council areas have been abducted so far
“Last week, soldiers stormed the village and set the building ablaze while the kidnappers escaped to unknown hideout within the community.
“Now the road from Ekparakwa to Ekpene Ukpa bridge leading to Etinan Local Government area have been deserted because of activities of dare devil kidnapping squad that terrorise the communities in the last two years.
“We no longer sleep in our houses. The kidnappers are moving freely in the villages with sophisticated weapons. Nobody even discuss them because you don’t know their agents and gang members.”
He said kidnapping incidents occur daily in the village as nobody knows who will be the next victim.
