UPDATED: Kidnappers Snatch 11-Year Old Daughter of Rivers REC In Eket Church, Demand N100M Ransom.

Gov. Godswill Akpabio Of Akwa Ibom

The growing insecurity in Akwa Ibom State worsened even further on Sunday with the abduction of the only daughter of the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Rivers State, Mr. Aniedi Abasi Ikoiwak, in the premises of a church.

Eleven-year old Utibe-Abasi, who was slightly ill at the time of her abduction, is the only daughter of Mr. Ikoiwak.  The REC said today in Port Harcourt that the kidnappers have now issued a ransom demand of N100m and he has appealed to them for her release.

The police spokesman of the Akwa Ibom command, Mr Onyeka Orji, had confirmed the incident in a telephone chat with our correspondent.  He said they had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers but were yet to make any arrests.

The kidnapping occurred at the Abundant Life Ministry Church, on Ikot Ibiok/ Ikot Udoma Road on the outskirts of Eket.


“We are working hard at freeing their hostage unharmed, and that is our priority for now,” Mr. Orji said.

Naija News Desk gathered that the REC was the target of the gunmen.  They grabbed his child when he could not be found as he reportedly escaped in the chaos, which followed the sporadic shooting of the kidnappers.

In the past two weeks, an oil worker at ExxonMobil’s Qua Iboe Terminal and an old woman were kidnapped in separate incidents.  The victims are still being held hostage.

The residents of Eket and Akwa Ibom State at large have been helpless, as the state government, led by Chief Godswill Akpabio, has failed to rise to the occasion to protect lives and property in the state.

Security in the country was one of the key promises of Goodluck Jonathan when he was campaigning for office, which he took last month.