The Cross River State governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PDP), Pastor Usani Usani has reportedly escaped being killed by suspected kidnappers along the Calabar-Ikom highway. Two occupants of another vehicle were said to have been killed, while many other passengers were abducted and taken away alongside one Mr Egbe Eworo Essiet.
Usani, a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, was said to be traveling on the Calabar-Ikom federal highway in the afternoon around the Biase Local Government Area (LGA) when his car was waylaid by heavily armed men.
Usani’s media aide, David Agabi was with the former minister in his car when the incident happened.
“We were heading towards Yakurr LGA where the governorship candidate hails from in continuation of his political activity. But around Betem community in Biase LGA of the state, we were waylaid by an armed gang in the opposite direction.
“They swooped on a white posh car, killing two occupants while large numbers of other passengers were abducted and taken away alongside one Mr Egbe Eworo Essiet.
“They mistook the former minister’s car which was next to the white car but shot the driver. They did not quite ascertain who Usani was”, Agabi said
The state Commissioner of Police, Sule Balarabe, who confirmed the news, said it occurred between the axis of Akamkpa and Biase LGAs at about 4 pm on Friday.
He said it started when a white Ford with Registration number AAA 41 AQ was ambushed by the suspected kidnappers, killing the two yet-to-be-identified victims.
The commissioner further said that three other persons were abducted in the process by the gunmen.
“The vehicle in which they killed two persons had seven occupants including two police officers, ASP (Assistant Superintendent of Police) Ibor Bassey and Inspector Ebro Ebri who escaped and called for reinforcement.
“A tactical unit was immediately dispatched to the area and three persons have so far been rescued”, he said.
Balarabe said that the rescued persons were members of the PDP who were traveling with the former minister.
He solicited support by way of useful information to the police from the communities along the Calabar-Ikom highway.
“We are appealing to all community leaders and traditional rulers to help security agencies by providing us with useful information through our dedicated lines.
“These criminals are not spirits, they are human beings and live amongst them. Without useful and timely information, it will be very difficult to nip these nefarious activities in the bud”, he said.
