Date Published: 06/20/11

Gunmen abduct 11 Year Old Daughter of INEC Commissioner, demands N100 million

An 11 year old daughter of the Rivers State Resident Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr. Aniedi Abasi Ikoiwak was abducted by unknown gunmen in Eket, Akwa Ibom State at about 9:00 am on Sunday on her way to church.

Sources told pointblanknews.com that the gunmen are currently requesting for N100 Million as ransom before releasing the child to her parents.

The child (name withheld) is the only daughter to the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner of Rivers State, Mr. Ikoiwak who narrowly escaped the gunmen.

Sources told Pointblanknews.com that the child was with other family members including her mother in a car driving to their family church, Abundant Life Ministry, located at Ikot Ibiok/ Ikot Udoma Road, in the suburb of Eket. The gun men who were believed to be monitoring the child from behind using both motor bikes and vehicle finally ambushed the girl’s car and forced her into their own car at gun point, close to the church courtyard.

The abductors whose number could not be ascertained were armed with AK47; fired four rounds of bullets into the air to scare away people, but only left the occupants of the car with a terse but undecipherable statement “ …since Aniedi is in Rivers State he wanted to work against the interest of his state” Sources hinted that Mr. Ikoiwak was the target of the gunmen but was not in the same car carrying his family to church at the time of the abduction.

At the time of going to the press, the phone numbers of Mr. Ikoiwak were switched off. But his aide, Mr. Iniobong Udotai confirmed the incident but declined to make further comment.“There is nothing I can say about this again as we have already reported the matter to the police for investigation.” Udotai said.

The Divisional Police Officer of Eket could not be reached for comment. But a senior police officer in the administrative unit who pleaded anonymity said the incident has been reported to the police and investigation is being carried out.

For almost twenty four hours after the kidnappers whisked away the little girl, no word has come out from them as to the rationale behind their criminal act. But a monarch in Eket and Youth Leader of Ekid Nation, High Chief Francis Eno has condemned in strong terms the kidnapping of the eleven year old Primary six pupil and describing it as ‘horrible and uncivilized act.’

An official of Akwa Ibom state who would not want to be named because he is not authorized to speak on the matter told Pointblanknews.com that the State government is working closely with security agencies in the state to ensure the release of the child unharmed.

“The government is doing everything possible to ensure we secure the release of the child unharmed as soon as possible. It is the duty of the state Government to protect everyone and we are doing just that.”