Abducted expatriate in Akwa Ibom regains freedom

An expatriate engineer working for Al Madal Construction Company in Akwa Ibom, who was kidnapped while two soldiers were killed, has been released.

The engineer was kidnapped while on routine inspection of the Ikot Ibritam/Inen Ekeffe/ Ikot Akpan/Afaha Ukanafun road construction work executed by the state government.

It was gathered that the expatriate was released at the same spot where he was whisked away by gunmen after spending 18 days in the kidnappers’ den.

A witness, who preferred to remain unnamed, said, "At about 8pm Friday, the hoodlums brought him (the expatriate) from the creeks in a speedboat; blindfolded and dropped him at the same spot he was kidnapped.

"He then made calls to their project office within the community before he was picked up by heavily armed soldiers for treatment."

Confirming the release, the clan head of Inen community, His Royal Highness, Obong Johnson Obosi, said though the expatriate has been released, the council of chiefs would not rescind its decision to use traditional means of invoking native injunction against the perpetrators of such crime so that government can continue with the development projects in the community with confidence.

Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has said that four suspects were arrested in Rivers State in connection with the kidnap, but no mention was made if any ransom was demanded or paid for the release.

Spokesman of the police in Akwa-Ibom State, Odiko Macdon, said the expatriate was released by his abductors on Friday at about 9pm.

"He was released last Friday at about 9pm by the abductors. While condemning the dastardly act, the commissioner of police has ordered watertight security in the state," he stated.