From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Again, gunmen had struck in Calabar metropolis and abducted a construction firm project manager, one Anozeng Egbe.
 
Two weeks ago a pharmacist, Nonso, and a banker, 
Kidnapped at Bogobiri and Parliamentary axis in Calabar Municipality respectively had been released after their immediate families had paid ransom. 
Family sources, in a separate interview in Calabar, said the two victims paid N5m each to secure their release from kidnappers den. 
 
The kidnap of the Mr Egbe is coming barely three days after the Police had rescued 9 travllers abduct along Okomita axis of Calabr-Ikom Highway.
Egbe, is an architect and doulbes as project manager of  Faith Global Int’l Services Ltd (a.k.a Faith Plant) an indigenous multi-disciplinary firm.
A witness, who refused to disclose his name for security reasons, said Egbe was abducted about 9:am on Friday when he went to brief his CEO, Micheal Asuquo,  at his resident located inside Summit Hills Estate in Calabar Municipality.
According to the witness, the armed men numbering about 5  drove in a Honda SUV and wore black camouflage covered with black faze caps just and were well-armed.
Narrating the incident, he said: “The stern-looking gunmen had a bigger target, which was the CEO of Faith plant, Mr Micheal Asuquo. But when they arrived at his gate, the security man asked them who they were and if they had an appointment with the chief.
“They replied yes and added that one of his trucks was intercepted by them and they wanted to discuss modalities before the release of the said truck.
“The security man told them (the gunmen), to wait for him to confirm their appointment with his employer. While waiting at the gate, the company architect drove in to brief his boss on the day’s activities, the gunmen intercepted him and bundled him into their steaming vehicle and zoomed off.”
The witness further said he observed that some of the gunmen had been carrying out surveillance in the area since 4: 00 am before zeroing in Faith Plants’ residence.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer, Cross River State Command, SP Irene Ugbo, said: “The incident happened at Summit Hill Estate off Mohammed Muritala Highway. We are working on it already.”
Security sources said they suspect that a new gang had entered the town and they would try to track them down.
The source, however, revealed that they are handicapped by logistics support to go full blast in confronting the kidnappers that have been terrorising the state of recently, pleading with individuals, corporate bodies, and voluntary organizations to partner with the security agencies in the fight against crime and criminals.