Abduction of Idabato DO : Rescue Operation Continues

Administrative and security officials in Ndian Division under the impulse of South West Governor are intensifying rescue operations to locate the Divisional Officer (DO) of Idabato, Ewane Roland and Etongo Ismaiel, a council staff kidnapped on the night breaking to October 1, 2024. The Divisional Officer and the council staff were abducted 2:15 am in his residence at Idabato, in the Bakassi peninsular, by unidentified armed group who whisked them off through the sea on an engine boat. The gunmen were said to be well armed as they fired sporadic gunshots before abducting their victims.  By the time of writing this report on Wednesday October 2, rescue operations were still underway to lay apprehend the kidnappers. 
According to a hand message from the Senior Divisional Officer of Ndian addressed to the Consul General of Nigeria to the South West and North West Regions, the Senior Administrative Officer, Gilbert Guibai Baldena indicated that the armed group believed to be pirates took the direction to Nigeria after abducting the DO. The SDO’s hand message to the Consul General is therefore soliciting possible action from Nigerian authorities within the framework of cross-border cooperation, for the rescue of DO Ewane and his collaborator. 
Meanwhile, South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai in an interview, have urged the population to remain vigilant and collaborate with defense and security forces in providing any reliable information that will lead to the successful rescue of the captives. 

Mr. Governor, the news of the abduction of the Divisional Officer of Idabato in the Bakassi Peninsular is circulating on social media. What is the situation?
On the night of Monday breaking Tuesday October 1, by 2am, the DO of Idabato, Mr Ewane Roland and one of his collaborators, Mr Etongo Ismaiel working with Idabato Council were kidnapped by gunmen who came in their numbers, well-armed and were firing gunshots. They break into the residence of the DO and kidnapped him alongside his collaborator. They whisked them off through the sea. Immediately, the defence and security forces deployed their patrol in the sea but without any chance of success. Until now (press time), the DO is still in the hands of those gunmen. We are still patrolling around the sea in the Bakassi area. We are also in contact with authorities of neighbouring Nigeria. We are equally sensitizing everybody if they can provide some information relating to the whereabouts of ...