Police, youths rescue kidnapped Akwa Ibom ex-Speaker

A combined team of the Nigerian Police and youths of Udung Uwe community in Urueffong Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have rescued former Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Barrister Bassey Essien who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on his way to his farm over the weekend.

Our correspondent gathered that Barrister Essien who served as the second Assembly Speaker between 1999 and 2001 was rescued unhurt.

A source said, “Barrister Bassey Essien was on his way to his Farm at Etebi Esit Eket when some gunmen numbering six blocked his vehicle and dragged him out. They forced him into their own vehicle and headed towards neighboring Udung Uwe community in Urueffong Uroko council area. But their vehicle broke down and they mobilized a motorcycle and continued their journey amidst heavy rainfall in the area but the motorcycle had flat tires.

“The abductors, unable to continue the journey into their forest hideout because of the flat tires, stayed with their victim in a bush around the community. Then information got to the youths of the Udung Uwe community from the police that the former speaker had been kidnapped at Etebi Esit Eket and headed towards their community.ý A search party of youths was immediately raised and the bushes in the community was combed and the six abductors were apprehended with the former speaker in their midst,” the source said.

The abductors who asked for money from the former speaker to save his life told him that they were paid to assassinate him by an unnamed politician in his area, the source added.ý

The kidnappers, it was also learnt, had been handed over to the police for interrogation and prosecution.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Akwa Ibom State, ASP Cordelia Nwawe, confirmed the arrest of the hoodlums, saying that investigation was on.