Unidentified gunmen had on Wednesday killed two soldiers and kidnapped an expatriate at a road construction site in Ukanafun council area of Akwa Ibom State.
It was gathered that the two soldiers were shot dead while escorting an expatriate engineer in a routine inspection of a road project along Idim Okpok mini bridge in Inen Ekeffe the boundary village between Oruk Anam and Ukanafun local government area of the state.
An eyewitness, Friday Idiok, told newsmen that the gunmen whisked the expatriate engineer away immediately the two soldiers were shot dead on the spot and residents ran away for fear of arrest by security operatives.
“There were sporadic shootings here and before you know what was happening, two soldiers were dead. The gunmen also escaped with the soldiers’ guns and took the expatriate to their hideout. Everybody here is in panic, we don’t know what the government would do in this matter,” he said.
Also reacting on the incident, the clan head of Inen, His Royal Highness, Obong Johnson Johnny Obosi said the incident was worrisome and called the government to action.
According to him, “We were at a burial of one of our brothers, late Mr. Udoimoh and about to be entertained, we heard gunshots. The next report was that two soldiers attached to expatriates working on the road construction project that links my community with Ukanafun have been killed and the expatriate kidnapped.
He added that soldiers from Ibagwa barracks arrived in their ambulance and carried the corpse of the dead soldiers to the mortuary.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom, Odiko Macdon has confirmed the incident and promised to arrest those involved in the crime.
In a text message, Macdon said the police got the report and have made moves to arrest all the culprits.
“We have received information about the unfortunate dastardly incident at the road project in Ikot Ibritam, Inen Ekeffe leading to Ukanafun. We are working with our sister agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those involved.”
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