Lawmaker Escapes As Gunmen Kill 2 At Marriage Ceremony

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Two persons have been killed at a traditional marriage ceremony in Uquo community, Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State after unknown gunmen stormed the event.

Mr Usoro Akpanusoh, representing PDP, Esit Eket/Ibeno at the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Esit Eket on Tuesday.

The lawmaker said the gunmen had stormed the ceremony with the intent to abduct him but he was lucky to escape after struggling with one of his assailants.

Narrating the incident, the lawmaker said: “I attended a traditional marriage in Uquo in Esit Eket with the family of the Deputy Political Leader of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in my ward.

“After staying for about 40 minutes, I bade the couple goodbye and approached my car.

“While attempting to enter my car, I saw a Nissan Sony that blocked the car and a guy came out with an AK47 rifle and started shooting sporadically into the air and people thought that he was a policeman.

“I saw him pointing the gun at my car and started shooting at people directly and bullets hit two guys,’’ he said.

Akpanusoh noted that the abductors removed his driver and approached him and drew him out of his car and attempted to abduct him.

“Fortunately the driver struggled with the guy and as God would have it, he was able to find his way back to the crowd.

He added that scores of others were injured after shots were fired at the crowd and have been taken to the hospital.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom, SP Odiko Macdon said the Commissioner of Police had asked the Divisional Police Officer in Esit Eket to investigate the incident.

“We are aware of the attempt to abduct the House member and the police is trying to determine the extent of the crime,’’ he said.