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From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Palpable fear now grips residents of Calabar South as gun trotting men stormed University of Cross River State (UNICROS) junction and whisked away a business man, Mr Bassey, from his shop.
Investigations showed that in the last couple of months kidnappers have been discreetly operating within the Anantiga, Mbukpa and Beach axis kidanping and collecting ransom from residents even when the soldiers have been depolyed to the area.
Some residents, who don’t want their names in print, said that the gunmen from the nearby creeks do invade the Beach market at Anantigha and cart away food stuffs and cash from traders and zoom off to their base.
The residents said they are worried that in spite of the fact Operation Akpakwu, the state security outfit inaugurated in 2020, are stationed at strategic locations within the metropolis, the hoodlums are still carrying out their nefarious activities ahead of the 2022 Calabar Carnival Festival.
A resident, John Nfon, said the kidnap of Bassey has sent some shivers down the spine of residents.
Nfon, 46, said kidannpers armed to the teeth, stormed Ekpo Abasi/UNICROS junction on Saturday night and headed straight to Mr, Bassey shop and shot sporadically to scare passers-by before whisking him away.
According to him, Bassey resisted the kidnappers, who came in a Toyota Camry car and a mini bus, but he was overpowered by the criminals who outnumbered and outbraved him.
Family source revealed that this is the second time in about two years that the business man has been Kidnapped.
The source said the gunmen arrived at 10:30pm when Bassey had just closed and was standing with his family when they strucked and there was no help from any where as neigbhours took to their heels for safety.
A senior member of the family, who don’t want his name in print, said the abductors are yet to establish contact with them, praying that their bread wimner, Basaey, returns home safely.
Bassey is a native is Ndupo Ise in Nsit Ibom local government area of Akwa Ibom State
The State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), when contacted said she is yet to be briefed on the development.
