Dominic Aqua Edem, the former two-term deputy speaker of the Cross River assembly has been abducted by unknown gunmen.
Edem was abducted at his home in Ifiang Nsung, Bakassi Local Government Area on Thursday.
A sociopolitical organisation in Cross River State, the Southern Solidarity Front has called for his release.
In a statement in Calabar, the Chairman of the organisation George O’ben-Etchi said Chief Edem is a senior citizen of the State and a respected son of the Southern Senatorial District and thus deserves to be treated better.
He said the politician of repute must be released by his captors and kidnappers immediately and unconditionally adding that he must not be hurt in the process.
Speaking also, a member of the organization, Chief Iyadim Amboni Iyadim who is the Chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area said Chief Dominic Edem had paid his dues and deserves his freedom.
Also speaking, the former Chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area Chief Barr. Ene Cobham who is a member of the organisation commended the governor of Cross River State Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade on the recent improvement in security in the state.
He said he was confident that the long arms of the law will soon catch up with the perpetrators of the act, saying they will surely face the wrath of Operation Akpakwu.
On her part, another member of the front and chairperson of Odukpani Local Government Area, Hon. Justina Edem said there was no more hiding place for criminals in Cross River State, so the kidnappers should release Chief Edem immediately because they will soon be fished out and made to face the law.
She urged the Nigeria Police, Cross River State command to rise to the challenge and ensure all nooks and crannies in the State are cleaned out of criminals.
It can be recalled that Chief Dominic Aqua Edem had been kidnapped before in 2015 and taken to and unknown destination. He was subsequently released after several calls for his release.
