Cross River Deputy Governor's Father Kidnapped

Etubom Essien Cobham, the father of the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Barr. Efiok Cobham has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Checks revealed that the octogenarian was abducted from his country home, Creek Town community in Odukpani local government area of the state in the early hours of yesterday by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

Also, the uncle of the Deputy Governor whose name could not be immediately ascertained was equally abducted by the kidnappers.

Apart from making away with the two victims, the suspected kidnappers also broke into and vandalised the private residence of the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Ita Ekpenyong who is an indigene of the area.

Sources said the gunmen suspected to have come from the Bakassi area accessed the sleepy village of Creek Town in the wee hours Friday with two flying boats using the Calabar creeks.

The incident which reportedly lasted for hours took the people of the community by surprise as there was no report of any resistance during the invasion by the gunmen.
Fears and panic gripped the villagers as the gunmen fired gun shots indiscriminately while the operation lasted.

Security operatives have moved in to contain the situation as many children are equally reported to be missing and the community deserted due to the raid.
It was gathered that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kola Sodipo, the Area Commander, and some other senior officers have visited the community to ascertain the true situation of things.