GUNMEN suspected to be Niger Delta militants, are demanding the sum of N100m as ransom for the release of the sister to the lawmaker representing Ikot Abasi/ Eastern Obolo State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Dr Charles Mbong.
The militants had left a message after the abduction of the lawmaker�s sister that they would not release their hostage except the sum of N100m was brought to an undisclosed place.
Mbong�s immediate elder sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Philip, was abducted about 8.30 pm. on New Year�s day by unknown gunmen, who stormed the lawmaker�s residence in Eastern Obolo and fired gunshot to scare people away.
The assailants, numbering about 10, were said to have also shot Mbong�s niece, Reggy, on her left leg several times before zooming off in a waiting vehicle, which registration number was said to have been concealed.
Our correspondent gathered that though the lawmaker�s mother was also kidnapped, she escaped as a result of an accident involving one of the motorcycles used by the gunmen.
A reliable source said that the militants, who attended a New Year�s Day carnival in Eastern Obolo before storming the lawmaker�s residence, might have come from the neighbouring state.
Reggy, who was earlier rushed to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention, was later moved to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital in Cross River State.
Doctors at the hospital were said to have feared that Reggy�s leg might be amputated as a result of the gunshot injuries she sustained.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Mr. Gab Ngban, confirmed the abduction of Philip by men suspected to be Niger Delta militants.
Ngban explained on Monday in Uyo that the police would ensure that the lawmaker�s sister was released safely.
�We are condemning this act of criminality in its totality and the police have put everything in place to ensure that the lady kidnapped is released without any harm.
�As I speak now, men of the command are investigating the matter and also working hard to make sure that the lawmaker�s sister is released very soon.�
However, efforts made to reach Mbong, who was the immediate past chairman of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, proved futile as his two mobile phones were switched off when our correspondent called.