No fewer than 65 incidents of kidnap for ransom, with more than 20 of the victims dying, occurred in Cross River State between January 2020 and September 2023, a report has said.
The report titled, ‘Spotlighting the Resurgence of Kidnap for Ransom in Cross River State’, was issued by the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta in its ‘Niger Delta Weekly Conflict Update’ for November 19-25, 2023.
It read in part, “This weekly update spotlights organised criminality in the Niger Delta with a focus on kidnap for ransom in Cross River State. According to data, over 65 incidents of kidnapping and more than 20 related fatalities were reported in the state between January 2020 and September 2023.
“In July 2023, for instance, a medical doctor with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital was reportedly kidnapped from her residence in Calabar, the state capital.
“In September, three residents including a clergyman and his daughter were reportedly abducted by gunmen at a satellite town in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area.
“Also, in September, many travellers were reportedly abducted by gunmen in Ikang community, Akpabuyo LGA.
“In November, a professor was reportedly kidnapped from his residence in the University of Calabar. More recently, on November 19, 2023, a political party chieftain and his son were abducted by armed kidnappers along Ikom-Ogoja Road in Ikom LGA.”
The foundation expressed concern that the recent resurgence of kidnap for ransom could negatively impact the dynamics of conflict and insecurity in the state.
