Some unidentified gunmen on Sunday abducted the Cross Rivers
Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr. Gabriel Odu-Orji, at Effionawan street in
Mayne Avenue area of Calabar South.
An eye witness, Mr. James Ibri, told the News Agency of
Nigeria that five gunmen came in a blue Audi car and picked Odu-Orji away as he
stepped down to eat in a restaurant.
Ibri said that the gunmen dropped their car and ordered the
Commissioner into his Prado Jeep and drove away with him.
“At around 12 pm today, I was in front of one restaurant
waiting for a friend when the Commissioner for Water Resources stepped down and
was approaching the restaurant.
“Before he could get into the restaurant, some well-armed
men numbering about five came in a blue
Audi, parked their car by the road side
and ordered the Commissioner into his car and drove away.
“Those guys were kidnappers because they wore mask to hide
their faces,’’ he said.
ASP Irene Ugbo, the State Police Public Relations Officer,
confirmed the incident to NAN in a telephone interview.
“We have received a complaint about the abduction of the
Commissioner for Water Resources. He was kidnapped and taken away in his Prado
Jeep today.
“We have deployed our men from the command and those from
the intelligence department to all routes in the state with a view to release
him.
“As we speak, all check points are thoroughly manned by our
men to ensure that he is released safely,’’ Ugbo said.
This story was first published on PUNCH
