Black Christmas In Ikom As Gunmen Kill Youth Leader, Abduct 4 In CRHA Speaker's Domain
By Ekanem Asuquo
Pandemonium shattered the usual serene mood associated with Christmas Day celebration in Nde in Ikom in local government arwa of Cross River Central as gunned allegedly killed youth leader in the area, Mr. Akpang Ayambem, after
abducting four others in a well-coordinated operation.
Nde three Corners and ever-bustling commercial city and
hometown of the Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, has become a major security flashpoint in recent times with three kidnapping operations
within the last one month
Findings by THE BEAGLE NEWS revealed that travelers and motorists plying the route, which serves as a major link connecting the northern and central parts of Cross River to Calabar, have suffered criminals activities ranging from illegal extortions to kidnappings.
A concerned indigene, Mr. Awor Takim, told THE BEAGLE NEWS that gunmen operating along the Ikom Ogoja/ Katsina-AlaHighway invaded the community on the eve of Christmas day bout 5:30 pm, shot the youth leader, and dragged the victim's body into the bush.
According to Takim "the gunmen operated for over 60 minutes without any resistance from security operatives as they shot and wounded two other indigene of Nde, who were returning home from their farms.
"One of the victims, who sustained gunshot injury on his hand during the incident, is now receiving medical attention at a nearby medical facility in the LGA.
"Soldiers from a nearby battalion and police anti-robbery squad only arrived at the scene of the incident after the gunmen had escaped,"Awor lamented
When contacted before filing the report, the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer Police PPRO, Irene Ugbo, said her office is yet to be officially briefed on the incident.
She however stated that efforts would be intensified to get to the root of the matter.
It would be recalled that. last month a medical practitioner was shot dead in the same area.
Also, the APC Ikom ward Chairman Matthew Egomo was abducted alongside his son on November 19, 2023. Friends and family had to cough out N5m as ransom before he was released according to sources in the community.
Efforts to get the views of The speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly CRHA, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, on the issue proved abortive as his telephone line is said to be switched off.
