A tragic incident has rocked Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State as gunmen killed a driver and abducted a Chevron employee, Samuel Ekerenam, on Saturday, November 23. The attack occurred at the victim’s business premises, Hephzibah Shopping Mall, sparking fears of rising insecurity in the area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, confirmed the incident, stating that the assailants struck around 8:00 p.m., firing gunshots to disperse bystanders. In the chaos, they killed Ekerenam’s personal driver, overpowered his police escort, and whisked him away.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, and his team have visited the crime scene. Efforts are in top gear to ensure the victim’s safe rescue,” John assured the public.
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A family source, speaking under anonymity, revealed that the abductors had yet to contact the family, leaving the motive of the kidnapping unclear. “We don’t know if this is ransom-related or something else because there has been no communication from the kidnappers,” the source said.
Ekerenam, who is a pastor and a Chevron staff, had reportedly just returned from work on the day of the incident.
The abduction of Samuel Ekerenam follows a previous family ordeal in October 2019, when his wife, Mrs. Glory Ekerenam, was kidnapped in Eket. She was later rescued from the kidnappers’ den in Ikot Ubo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
