10 Killed As Navy Rescues Abducted Akpabuyo Paramount Ruler After Gun Duel

By Ekanem Asuquo
Calabar 

A special squad of the Nigerian Navy on routine patrol along Calabar-Oron waterways has rescued the Paramount Ruler of Akpabuyo local government area, Cross River state, Etinyin Maurice Ekpenyong, after a gun duel.

Ten persons, suspected to keep kidnappers, were reportedly killed during the operation. 

 Ekpenyong was abducted by gunmen in his residence in the wee hours of Monday, December 11.

A competent source revealed that the kidnappers were intercepted by the Naval patrol team last night when they attempted to ferry the royal father to Oron through the Atlantic Ocean to commence negotiations for ransom.

In the ensuing gun battle, 10 members of the kidnapping gang were neutralized by the superior marksmanship of the Navy, who recorded no casualty.

The Paramount Ruler is said to be in an undisclosed medical facility for post-traumatic treatment and observation.

In a related development, a Bolt driver(name withheld) narrowly escaped being kidnapped at 9:30 pm yesterday after gunmen in a minibus overtook and blocked his vehicle along Nelson Mandela Street by Target in Calabar.

The cry for help from the bolt driver attracted a crowd of soccer spectators who were watching UEFA Champions League matches to the scene of the crime.

Sensing danger, the kidnappers, who were already dragging their victim to the minibus, shot sporadically  to halt the advancing mob, and sped off in the minibus towards Goldie Street.

The bolt driver who sustained serious injury during the struggle with the kidnappers numbering six and armed with sophisticated weapons, was later rushed to a hospital for treatment.