The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Samuel Ben, councillor representing Ward 6 Central in Eket Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the Command, SP Odiko Macdon, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria in Eket, on Tuesday.
According to the PPRO, the victim was kidnapped within the premises of his filling station around 8pm, on Saturday, September 25.
Macdon said that the incident was “very unfortunate and unacceptable,’’ adding that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Andrew Amiengheme, had ordered an investigation into the case.
“Yes, we have received preliminary report on the incident and we are working on it. As I speak, a discreet investigation is ongoing. I cannot deny the fact that we have that information.
“A lot is being done already and in no distance a time, I think he will be freed. I don’t want to preempt the outcome of the investigation and efforts being made by the police to ensure that the victim is freed,’’ Macdon said.
He added that the police would ensure that the perpetrators were brought to book.
Meanwhile, a family source who preferred anonymity, said that the councillor was kidnapped shortly after taking stock of business at his filling station.
“The wife and the councillor came to take stock of the account and to take some money home when the incident happened,’’ he said.
The source added that the councillor took money to his car, while the wife was locking the office door at the time.
“As this was happening, the gunmen entered the fuel station and abducted the councillor,’’ the family source said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6, Usman Gonna, on September 17, ordered the police in Akwa Ibom to investigate the abduction of two prominent sons of the state, Senator Nelson Effiong and Dr Nsidibe Umana.
The two were kidnapped in the state on September 5 and 7 respectively.
