Gunmen kidnap Akwa Ibom monarch

Gunmen have kidnapped the paramount ruler of Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, His Royal Majesty, Ogwong Okon Asukwo Abang.

It was gathered that the gunmen stormed the victim’s palace in Ebughu community at about 9pm on Saturday, May 18, 2024, shooting sporadically and whisked him away to the Ibaka beach, where they trans-loaded him into a waiting speed boat that speedily took him into the shrubs on the high sea of the Gulf of Guinea.

It was further learnt that his wife, Obonganwan Okon Abang, was shot in the leg and critically injured during the incident.

She was rushed to a private hospital in Oron, where medical personnel are working tirelessly to save her life.

The spokesperson of the State Police Command, Timfon John, who confirmed the abduction in a statement on Sunday, said the Police Commissioner, CP Waheed Ayilara, and the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, Gen. Koko Essien (rtd), have moved into the area with police and operatives from other sister security agencies with a view to rescuing the monarch unharmed and apprehending the suspects.

The latest abduction is coming few days after medical doctors down tools over the kidnap of their colleague, Dr John Robbin Esu, who is still in the kidnappers’ den nearly three weeks after. 

The wife of Chief Asukwo Eweme Ulap Okon, aka Levile, a prominent political figure was also abducted in Oron last week.