The officers and patrons of Omgbotuche Ayi Yala Worldwide, AYWI, were held hostage by gunmen during a meeting in Calabar, reports said.
The gunmen later succeeded in abducting a University of Calabar, UNICAL, Law Faculty lecturer, Dr Roland Ipuole to an unknown place.
The kidnappers also took away two other persons as well as mobile phones and other valuables belonging to patrons and other officers.
It was gathered that one of the two abducted persons, Dominic Ogri, later regained freedom.
Roland is still being held hostage for unknown reasons as of Wednesday afternoon.
No communication has been established regarding the lecturer.
The incident occurred at Harry D Hub along Ndidem Usang Iso Road, Calabar.
According to sources close to the scene of the incident, the officers were held hostage for over 30 minutes.
One source said, “There was no intervention or interruptions by security agencies. I saw them collecting money from drivers and other road users”.
Meanwhile, a group known as Edebia Sons and Daughters in Calabar have appealed to the State government to help quickly rescue their son.
In their words
Dr Barr. Roland Ipuole of Law Faculty, UNICAL reportedly kidnapped along with two others. While one of the victims, Dominic Ogri has just regained freedom from these bandits, Roland is still being held.
We are calling on all security agencies to rise up to this challenge by ensuring that Bar Roland is released unharmed.
To our dear Governor, we see the action of these kidnappers as an attempt to rubbish your good intentions for the state.
Please and please, use this as a test case and show these detractors that you are fully in charge of the state.
Police PRO in the state, Superintendent Irene Ugbo confirmed the abduction.