Mobil Pegasus School Head Kidnappers Demand N1B
UYO, Oct 19, (THEWILL) - The abductors of Mrs. Lakshimi Tom Bush, the headmistress of Exxon Mobil Pegasus School, Eket, Akwa Ibom State have made a ransom demand of a mind-blowing N1 billion naira for her release with a caveat that Oil giant Mobil should pay the ransom and not her family.
THEWILL gathered from security sources that her abductors made telephone contact with the family threatened to lunch further attacks in the area if they involve the police in the negotiations. The source said her abductors claim to be from the Eket area and that all they are interested in is in getting Exxon Mobil in Nigeria to pay the ransom. The unknown gunmen further stated in the telephone contact that they were aggrieved over the insensitivity of the oil company to the extreme poverty of host communities even as the company has refused to pay compensation claims since 2000.
Photo: Mrs. Lakshimi Tom Bush, abducted headmistress of Mobil Pegasus School, Eket.
In a media statement recently, the oil firm had confirmed the kidnap of the school head but stated that the motive of the abduction was yet to be ascertained. The press statement which was signed by Executive Director in charge of External Relations, Mrs. Gloria Essien Dinner did not state the company’s position on the ransom demand. THEWILL further gathered that Exxon Mobil Pegasus School in Eket has been shut as a precautionary measure by security operatives of the oil company to avoid further kidnappings of the staff or students of the school. Meanwhile, the father of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Speaker, Pa Sunday Etuk was reported kidnapped by unknown gunmen at about 2.am on Sunday at his village, Asang, Affaha Offiong in Nsit Ubium local Government area of Akwa Ibom State.
According to reports, the seventy-year old septuagenarian was sleeping inside his residence when the gunmen came calling amidst several gunshots which shook the entire community before he was eventually forcefully taken.
Report says that a policemen attached to the septuagenarian was killed while another officer sustained several gunshot wounds.
The gunmen were also said to have made away with a new 1.8 Series Toyota Corolla Saloon car just given to him by his son.
An eyewitness told THEWILL that many residents of the peaceful Asang community were roused from their sleep and fled into the bush on hearing rounds of gunshots fired by the hoodlums.
When contacted, Police Commissioner, Mr. Walter Rugbere confirmed the story and assured that his men are on the trail of the kidnappers adding that the kidnappers have made contact with the family of Pa Etuk but declined to comment further.
He however lamented the incessant killing of his men by the criminals maintaining that his command has now declared total war on kidnappers in the state.