Gunmen have killed two persons at a marriage ceremony in Akwa Ibom as they attempted to kidnap Mr Usoro Akpanusoh, a state lawmaker.
The aborted kidnapping at Uquo community in Esit Eket Local Government Area happened last Thursday.
The incident was recounted on Tuesday by Akpanusoh, who represents Esit Eket/Ibeno at the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly.
He said that the gunmen surfaced at the ceremony with intent to abduct him, but he was lucky to escape after struggling with one of them.
He thanked God for escaping 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 People’s 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 AK-47 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.
Akpanusoh said that the abductors removed his driver and approached him and drew him out of his car 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 that scores of others were injured and were rushed to the hospital.
Reacting on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom, SP 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.