The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a driver and the abduction of Samuel Ekerenam, a Chevron employee, in Eket Local Government Area. The incident occurred on Saturday, November 23, at around 8 pm at the Hephzibah Shopping Mall in Eket.
Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, revealed that gunmen stormed the area, firing sporadically to disperse onlookers. In the process, they killed Ekerenam’s personal driver, subdued his police escort, and kidnapped the Chevron worker.
“The Commissioner for Police, CP Joseph Eribo, alongside tactical commanders, has visited the crime scene. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim unharmed,” John assured.
A family source, speaking anonymously, disclosed that the kidnappers have not yet contacted the family, leaving the motive for the abduction unclear. “We don’t know whether it is ransom-related or something else because no one has reached out,” the source said. It was also noted that Ekerenam, who is both a pastor and a Chevron staff member, had just returned from work on the day he was abducted.
This is not the first tragedy to strike the family. In 2019, Ekerenam’s wife, Glory Ekerenam, was kidnapped in Eket and held at a hideout in Ikot Ubo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, before her eventual release.
The police have launched a manhunt for the abductors and remain committed to ensuring the safe return of Ekerenam.
