Gunmen Shoot Woman, Abduct Son

Two gunmen in Akwa Ibom State shot a middle-aged woman, Mrs. Elizabeth Obio, and abducted her two-year-old son.

The incident occurred around 6:07pm on Thursday along Ikot Obio Nko in Ibesikpo/Asutan Local Government.

Obio, who is presently hospitalised in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, is seeking the assistance of security operatives and public-spirited individuals to help rescue her son.

She told PUNCH Metro on Saturday that the little boy, who was her third child, would be three years in September.

She said the men who attacked her came on a motorbike and began dragging the boy with her and because she refused to let go of the boy, one of the men brought out a gun and shot her at the back.

She said, "We came back from the farm on Thursday evening and wanted to go to the stream with my husband. My third child (the boy) insisted he must come with us.

Initially, I was reluctant to let him follow us, but because he was crying seriously, the father said we should take him.

"When we got to a hilly area where the motorcycle we were riding could not continue, my husband dropped us and asked us to move towards the stream where he would meet us.

"While we were going, two men on a motorbike suddenly blocked us and immediately began struggling to snatch my child from me.

"I struggled with them, but one of them brought out a gun and shot me at the back. I became unconscious."

Obio explained that she had no idea of anybody who could have wished her family such a bad luck because they were peaceful people.

She stated that the police had come to the hospital to take her statement, adding that all she wants is to have her son back.

Obo said, "The police came here and took statement from me. I wonder if my son has not been killed. They should just help bring back him back to me."

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Etim Dickson, said he had not been fully briefed on the development.

Source: Punch

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