By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Armed gunmen on Christmas day shot and killed one of the youth leaders, Mr. Akpang Ayambem, and abducted four others at Nde Three Corners community, about 200 kilometres from Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
Nde Three Corners community, the hometown of Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, and adjoining communities of Akparabong and Bendeghe Afi, in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State had in the last one month suffered in the hands of kidnappers who had shot and killed certain persons including a medical practitioner along Ogoja-Katsina Alla High way.
Passengers who board vehicles from Ikom enroute Ogoja in the Northern senatorial district of Cross River State of Ogoja and Obudu local government areas have been travelling in fear due to incessant attacks by kidnappers troubling the highway.
According to one of the residents of Nde Three Corners community, Mr. Awor Takim, the gunmen who operate in the area entered their village on Christmas day and shot the deceased dragging his body into the bush.
Awor stressed that the operation of the armed gunmen, which lasted for between 30 and 60 minutes, also included shooting and injuring two other community residents while they were returning from farm.
Awor stated that one of the victims, who sustained various degrees of gun shot injuries on his hand during the incident is currently receiving medical attention in a nearby medical healthcare facility in Ikom Local Government Area.
Awor said, “Soldiers from a nearby battalion and police anti-robbery squad reportedly arrived at the scene of the incident after the gunmen had escaped.”
Reacting to the incident, the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Irene Ugbo, stressed that as nobidy had reported the incident to the police.
Nde Three Corners community had in recent times suffered several attacks in the hands of criminal elements, who had killed many at gun point.
Recall that on November 19, 2024, Ikom ward chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Matthew Egomo was kidnapped alongside his little son, with N5m ransom paid to his abductors before he could regain freedom.
Phone calls put across to the Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, for him to brief our medium on what he is doing to ensure that residents of his community live in peace failed, because his telephone line was unavailable.
