Gunmen abduct naval rating, seven victims in Akwa Ibom

A naval rating and seven others have been abducted in Ibaka LGA of Akwa Ibom state.

Speaking with NAN on Tuesday, Timfon John, the state’s police spokesperson, said the victims were abducted on Monday at the Classic Point Hotel in Ibaka where they had gone for relaxation.

John said the abductors took the victims to an unknown destination.

She said Waheed Ayilara, commissioner of police in the state, led a team of officers to the community shortly after he was briefed.

“The commissioner of police has already led a team of security personnel to the community,” she said.

“I can assure you that with that visit by the commissioner of police and other strategic approaches being taken, normalcy will return.”

There has been a spate of abductions across the country in recent times.

In June, gunmen abducted Janet Galadima-Gimba, a customary court judge, alongside her four sons, at their residence in the Mahuta area of Kaduna.

The abductors invaded the residence of the judge at night when her husband, a medical doctor, was away on duty.

The gunmen were said to have demanded N300 million ransom for their release and threatened to begin killing their victims if payment was delayed.

One of the children, a 14-year-old boy, was however killed by the bandits when the N298 million ransom demanded was not delivered at the stipulated time.

On July 4, the abductors released Janet, while holding three children captive.

On July 9, the remaining children were released.