Three persons, including meat and second-hand shoe sellers, have been reportedly kidnapped around the Cross River Water Board facility in the Lemma community of Calabar Municipality by unknown gunmen.
According to neighbours and eyewitnesses, the incident happened in the early hours of Monday.
The kidnapped persons are said to be two women and one man.
One of the witnesses who gave his name simply as Mr Effiong, a member of the community, said that the kidnappers invaded the community through the water using a speed boat.
He said the six gunmen were masked and also bore machetes and other arms.
Before whisking the middle-aged cow seller and her meat, they brutally handled and cut the husband who attempted to resist.
Effiong said: “We have not slept since the incident happened very early this morning. they abducted the woman who sells cow meat, brutalized her and the husband in the process of being kidnapped so that he slumped.”
A bakery owner who was robbed in the same attack said they barged into his bakery where he had gone early to open and arrange his wares.
“They carted away my phones, money, bread, properties and manhandled me,” he said.
Another resident said they had called on the state security outfit Operation Apakwu but when they arrived, the kidnappers had left.
Reacting, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mr Igri said they were yet to have reports of the incident.
“I have not yet received information about. I am going to reach the authorities and will get back to you soon”, he said.
