CALABAR: Unidentified men kidnap UCTH doctor

A medical doctor with University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, identified as Dr Itoro Asanga, and a trader named Chief Johnson Obiokpo have been kidnapped in two different incidents in the Southern part of Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

Reports say Dr Itoro was kidnapped at his residence while Chief Johnson was picked up at his shop on Mt Zion Street, by unidentified men suspected to be kidnappers.

According to an eyewitness, Thomas Akpan, the suspected kidnappers numbering up to five bought roasted corns while waiting for their target and even chatted with other unsuspecting people who came to patronise the corn seller.

As soon as Dr Itoro returned and tried to park his car at his No 12 Amika Utuk residence off Goldie Street, the waiting hoodlums attacked and took him to an unknown destination.

“The kidnappers came around 6pm and sat where one lady sells roasted corn. Nobody knew they had a devilish mission,” the witness said.

Read also: Did the Nigerian military lie? Boko Haram releases video of abducted NNPC staff

Thomas added that; “So, when Doctor came back he tried to park the ambulance and suddenly the criminals moved in quickly and shot sporadically into the air to scare residents away. And within split seconds, they dragged Itoro into the ambulance and sped off still shooting.”

In the second kidnap incident involving Chief Johnson, another witness Nfon Obong, said: “Around 7pm, four hefty young men stormed the supermarket and moved straight to where the Chief stayed and ordered him to go into their black tinted jeep parked outside.”

“Chief Akpan quietly entered and they drove off to an unknown destination and till now they have not called to know what next to do. As a result, people now live in fear.”

However, Irene Ugbo, the Police Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the kidnap of Chief Johnson said they were unaware of Dr Itoro’s kidnap. She also noted that they were working round the clock to track the kidnappers and bring them to book.

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