On Tuesday unknown assailants kidnapped the head of the village of Ikot Edet in the Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Mfon Udoessien.
Udoessien was abducted from his palace by the armed men after a gun battle with security agents drafted to the area by the state government to provide security in the volatile area.
It was revealed that the monarch is a brother-in-law to a former Head of Civil Service in Akwa Ibom State.
Eno a resident of the area, told Southern City News that the monarch, a retired primary school headmaster and former chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers in the area, might have been abducted because of his stance against cultism.
Udoessien has been fighting a war against the reports of gunmen who had kidnapped up to eight people from the village.
He said the whereabouts of the monarch remained unknown as the kidnappers had yet to contact the victim’s family.
“We think the kidnappers came after the village head because of how he had been opposing their activities.
“Right now, we don’t know his whereabouts as the kidnappers have yet to contact any member of the monarch’s family,” he said.
It was learnt that a middle-aged woman from the same village and sister to a former Commissioner for Local Government and chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Udo Ekpenyong, had been shot dead by unknown gunmen a week ago.
The lady was said to have been shot dead in her family compound, Ikot Oku Usung, Ukanafun Local Government Area.
Odiko Macdon the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, verified the kidnapping of the village head, saying it happened on Tuesday morning.
He said, “Security measures are in place; we just concluded a meeting with all the local government chairmen and the security chiefs in the state. That issue came up during the meeting; it is being addressed.
“The monarch’s kidnapping happened this morning and our men swung into action immediately. The DPO led a team to the place.”