A Nigerian Navy crew on normal patrol along the Calabar-Oron waterways rescued Etinyin Maurice Ekpenyong, the Mount Ruler of Akpabuyo Local Council in Cross River State, after a gun duel.
During the raid, ten alleged kidnappers were reportedly slain. Gunmen kidnapped Ekpenyong at his home in the early hours of Monday, December 11.
According to a source, the kidnappers were apprehended by the patrol team last night as they attempted to convey the royal father to Oron, Akwa Ibom State, via the Atlantic Ocean in preparation for ransom discussions.
The monarch is claimed to be receiving post-traumatic care at an undisclosed medical facility. In a similar situation, a ride hailing service driver (name withheld) narrowly escaped kidnapping at around 9:30 p.m. yesterday when gunmen in a minibus overtook and blocked his vehicle along Nelson Mandela Street, near Target, in Calabar.
The driver’s cries for assistance drew a mob of soccer enthusiasts watching UEFA Champions League matches to the spot. Sensing danger, the kidnappers, who were already dragging their victim to the minibus, fired irregularly to slow the approaching mob and sped off down Goldie Street.
The driver, who was seriously injured while battling the six armed attackers, was later brought to a hospital for treatment.