October 23, (THEWILL) – A double tragedy on Saturday, hit Calabar, as a businessman simply identified as Mr Bassey, has been kidnapped, while a five-year-old girl named Goodnews Umoren, has been killed by a motorist.
Both incidents happened along New Airport Road in Calabar South local government area of Calabar South.
Mr Bassey is a native of Ndupo Ise, in Nsit Ibom local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
An unnamed eyewitness said Mr Bassey was kidnapped at his provision shop, along Ekpo Abasi Junction by kidnappers, who came in a Toyota Camry car and a minibus.
The witness said Mr Bassey resisted the kidnappers, but he was overpowered by the criminals who outnumbered and overpowered him, shooting sporadically in the air before taking him away.
He added that this is the second time in just over two years that the businessman has been kidnapped.
Similarly, little Goodnews Umoren, a five-year-old girl, has been killed. She was killed along New Airport Road by a vehicle.
A witness said the vehicle hit Goodness and she smashed her head on the tarred road and died instantly.
He said the incident happened at Efio Anwan Junction, off New Airport Road, adding that the poor state of the road is partly responsible for Goodnews’ death.
Her father, in a mourning, said, “it’s no mean feat to bring up a girl to that age and suddenly discover she is no more.”
The corpse has been released to the family for burial by the police, while the driver is in police custody.
DSP Irene Ugbo, the State Police Public Relations Officer, has not formally commented on the incident.
The incident happened a few hours after Sule Balarabe, assumed office as the new commissioner for police in the state.
CP Sule Balarabe, an indigene of Kano state, takes over from Aminu Alhassan.
Before his promotion to Commissioner, DCP Sule Balarabe, was Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Kano State.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
