Gunmen kidnap Ex-Permanent Secretary, Sir Ignatius Brown in A’Ibom

Ini Billie, Uyo

Gunmen have kidnapped a former Permanent Secretary, Sir Ignatius Brown from his home in the Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

It was learnt that Brown, Chairman of Saint John’s Catholic Church Council, Abak, was abducted a few metres from his home on Monday when he was going home after the church meeting.

An eye witness who identified himself as Mr Aniefiok Marcus, told newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday that the hoodlums trailed the retired Permanent Secretary from the church along Abak – Ikot Ekpene road and overtook his driver some few metres away from his house.

Marcus said the Permanent Secretary, an indigene of the Etinan Local Government Area, had lived in Abak for many years before the incident occurred.

He said: “They (the hoodlums) trailed him from the Saint John’s Catholic Cathedral along Abak-Ikot Ekpene road, and overpowered the driver close to the house at Udokpo street, after shooting sporadically to scare away other vehicles and commuters on the road.

“When they (the kidnappers) succeeded in halting the Toyota RAV4 SUV of Sir Brown, they bundled the driver out, hijacked the vehicle and sped away with him lying down on the floor of the car,” he stated.

He added that however, the car was later recovered where it was abandoned along the Abak-Ekparakwa road after the kidnappers disappeared with the victim to an unknown destination.

When the State Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon was contacted, he confirmed the incident, saying one suspect has been arrested and helping the command to track down the other kidnappers.

“We have received that report already, and as we speak; the preliminary investigation is ongoing. The Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durusinmi, has detailed the Officer-in-Charge of kidnapping and other Tactical teams to ensure that the victim is successfully rescued and reunited with his family.

“Based on the CP’s instructions, a lot had already been done. We have one person in our custody who is helping us with the necessary information, and I believe that the kidnapped victim will soon regain his freedom,” he said.