Supermarket Owner Abducted in Akwa Ibom, Kidnappers Demand N30 Million Ransom
In a distressing incident, gunmen have kidnapped a 35-year-old supermarket owner, Mr. Enobong Akaninyene Okon, from his business premises in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The abduction occurred at approximately 9:40 p.m. on February 10, 2026, in Oboetim Village, where unknown armed assailants arrived in an unregistered vehicle and forcibly took the victim to an undisclosed location.
Details of the Kidnapping and Ransom Demand
According to reports, the victim's wife, Mrs. Victoria Enobong Akaninyene, promptly reported the incident to the Nsit Ibom Police Division around 10:30 p.m. on the same day. She stated that the attackers stormed their supermarket, seized her husband, and whisked him away. Security analyst Zagazola Makama revealed that the abductors later contacted the family via a GSM line, demanding a ransom of N30 million for Mr. Okon's safe release.
In addition to the kidnapping, the hoodlums allegedly stole the couple's Moniepoint POS machine and used it to withdraw N1.9 million before fleeing the area. This financial theft has compounded the family's distress, highlighting the brazen nature of the crime.
Police Response and Community Concerns
Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, swiftly deployed tactical teams to the area to ensure the victim's safe rescue. A security source confirmed that a discreet investigation has commenced to track down the suspects and bring them to justice. Residents of Oboetim Village have expressed fear over the incident, urging security agencies to intensify patrols and surveillance to curb the rising cases of kidnapping in the region.
Efforts to obtain further updates from the police command were ongoing at the time of this report, underscoring the urgency of the situation. The community remains on edge as authorities work to resolve this alarming security breach.
