INEC Official Kidnapped In Akwa Ibom

INEC

One Mr Otobong Ukpong, an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),serving in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state, has been kidnapped.

This was disclosed to newsmen by Mr Mike Igini, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today, while stating that effort were already been made to secure his release.

“We are aware of the incident and are making efforts for his release. The most important thing now is his safety,” Igini said.

Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Macdon Odiko, told NAN that the Police had received a report on the kidnap and was acting on the matter.

Odiko said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, had visited the area, following series of killings and the recent abduction of two female students of Obong University, a private institution in the area.

The victims brother, Mr Mbetobong Ukpong, said the victim was kidnapped at Uruk Ata2, on Tuesday while on his way to distribute Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to the electorate in line with the REC’s directive.

He said the militants had opened contact with the family, demanding N10 million.

“They used my brother’s phone number to call the family to disclose their ransom but the elders of the family have told them that such demand is outrageous for a largely peasant family to pay,” he said.