Bandits disrupted a traditional marriage in Uquo community in Esit Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom last Thursday, killing two persons, injuring unspecified number of attendees while a lawmaker, Mr. Usoro Akpanusoh, who was their main target escaped narrowly.
Akpanusoh who represents Esit Eket/Ibeno in the state house of assembly, disclosed this in Esit Eket yesterday.
He said the gunmen surfaced at the ceremony with intent to abduct him, but he was lucky to escape after struggling with one of them.
He expressed appreciation to God that he escaped the kidnap attempt in his home town in Uquo in Esit Eket.
“I went for a traditional marriage in Uquo in Esit Eket with the family of the deputy political leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in my ward.
“After staying for about 40 minutes, I bade the couple goodbye and approached my car.
“While attempting to enter my car, I saw a Nissan Sony that blocked it and a guy came out with AK47 rifle and started shooting sporadically into the air and people thought that he was a policeman.
“I saw him pointing the gun at my car and started shooting at people directly and bullets hit two guys,’’ he said.
The lawmaker said the abductors dragged his driver out of the car after which they made for and attempted to abduct him.
“Fortunately the driver struggled with the guy and as God would have it, he was able to find his way back to the crowd.
He said many other people were injured and were rushed to the hospital.
Reacting on the incident, spokesman for the state police command, Mr. Odiko Macdon, said that the commissioner of police had asked the divisional police officer in Esit Eket to investigate the incident.
“We are aware of the attempt to abduct the house member and the police are trying to determine the extent of the crime,’’ he said.
With NAN report
