The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Cross River University of Technology, Prof. Gabriel Ikpi, is recuperating from gunshot wounds sustained after he escaped being kidnapped.
The attack occurred just a week after a former VC of the University of Ibadan, was kidnapped.
Besides, a daughter of a former Police Public Relations Officer in Cross River State, Mr. John Umoh, was also kidnapped in Calabar.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of Obudu Urban Development Authority, Mr. Canice Atsu, was on the same day abducted by unknown gunmen in his Obudu home.
Southern City News reports that all incidents occurred on Monday.
On Ikpi’s kidnap attempt, a source said, “The suspects attempted to kidnap the deputy vice chancellor for ransom, but luck was on the side of the Professor of Agriculture as he successfully fought his abductors.
“He escaped in the end with a gunshot on his leg. He is believed to be traumatised, but recuperating in the hospital.”
The Registrar of CRUTECH, Mr. Gabriel Beshel, who confirmed the incident, said the deputy vice chancellor was responding to treatment.
On the kidnap of Umoh’s daughter, a source said the policeman, who is currently the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Mbo Division in Akwa Ibom State, had offered to pay the N115, 000 but the kidnappers would not accept that, insisting on N20m.
It was learnt that Umoh’s wife also sustained bullet wounds during the encounter with the abductors in Calabar.
He said, “The gunmen had a gun duel with the DPO before they succeeded in taking the daughter. I understand that the wife was shot when she struggled to save her daughter. She is said to be in the hospital.
“The kidnappers have demanded N20m but the DPO could not raise the money. He was only able to raise N115,000 and it is not clear if the abductors have collected that money.”
State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, confirmed the abduction of Umoh’s daughter and the executive secretary of Obudu Urban Development Authority.
She said, “For the case of the Obudu kidnap, no official report was made to the police, but the commissioner has asked the DPO to monitor and investigate the situation. For that of Umoh’s daughter, we are on top of the situation.”
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