Tragedy struck the Nde Three Corners community in Cross River State on Christmas Day as gunmen killed a youth leader, Mr. Akpang Ayambem, and abducted four others.
The incident took place in the hometown of the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, located in Ikom Local Government Area.
Nde Three Corners has become notorious for kidnappings and other violent crimes in recent months.
Travellers on the Ikom Ogoja/Katsina Ala Highway have also been frequent targets of kidnappers over the past month.
Mr. Awor Takim, a resident of the community, reported that the gunmen struck in the evening, shooting an unidentified man and dragging his body into the bush.
They then proceeded to operate for 30-60 minutes, shooting and wounding two other residents who were returning from their farms. One of the wounded victims sustained a gunshot injury to his hand and is receiving medical attention.
Soldiers from a nearby battalion and police anti-robbery squad reportedly arrived after the gunmen fled.
At the time of writing, Irene Ugbo, the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed that her office had not yet received a report of the incident but promised to investigate the matter.
The recent surge in criminal activity in Nde Three Corners is deeply concerning.
Last month, a medical practitioner was reportedly shot dead, and the APC Ikom Ward Chairman, Matthew Egomo, was kidnapped along with his son. Egomo paid a N5 million ransom before being released.
Efforts to reach Speaker Ayambem for comment were unsuccessful as his phone remained switched off.
