Two soldiers killed, expatriate kidnapped in Akwa Ibom

Gunmen

Gunmen have killed two soldiers and abducted an expatriate at the road construction site in Ukanafun council area of Akwa Ibom.

The expatriate engineer, who works with Al Madal Construction Company, was inspecting the construction of Ikot Ibritam, Inen Ekeffe, and Odoro Ikot to Ukanafun road project when he was attacked Wednesday.

An eyewitness, Friday Idiok, said the soldiers were killed while escorting the expatriate on routine inspection of the road project.

“The gunmen also escaped with the soldiers’ guns and took the expatriate to their hideout. Everybody here is in panic. We do not know what the government will do in this matter,” Mr Idiok said.

The identity of the expatriate has not been established.

Clan head of Inen, Obong Johnson Obosi, said soldiers from Ibagwa barracks arrived in an ambulance and carried the corpse of the dead soldiers to the morgue.

Akwa Ibom police spokesman, Odiko Macdon, said the command had begun investigation with other security agencies on the incident.

“We are working with our sister agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those involved,” Mr Macdon said.

The spokesman appealed to residents of the community to remain calm, promising that security operatives would apprehend the culprits and brought them to book.