Pastor killed as police rescue four victims from kidnappers in Cross River

Some unidentified gunmen have killed a pastor even as the police have rescued four abducted victims in Cross River State.

The abduction happened on Sunday, April 28, while the police rescued them the next day, Monday, April 29, 2024.

Police PRO in the state, SP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incidents to journalists, adding that those abducted were many.

Ugbo added that the pastor was killed during the attack while another victim was receiving treatment at a medical facility in Ikom in central Cross River State.

Ugbo said, “Yes, there were more than that number; four have been rescued.

“We are aware that one of the pastors died and one is receiving treatment. The number of those kidnapped could be higher. But we’ve been able to rescue four. And we’re still on it.

“The incident happened in the Ikom area. And our focus is on that area now.”

Findings showed that, as a result of the incident, both commuters and motorists are scared of plying the route, which is the only access road from the north and central senatorial districts to Calabar, the state capital.

This has led a private university in the Ikom area to warn their staff and students plying the route to steer clear of Nde community for now to avert kidnapping.

Nde 3 Corners in Ikom Local Government Area, Cross River State, near the late Nta Ekoma’s plantation, has gained notoriety for kidnappings in the last six months.