The traditional ruler of Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River, Etiyin Maurice Edet, was on Sunday night kidnapped by suspected gunmen at his residence in the council area.

An aide to the traditional ruler was shot dead while trying to prevent his principal from being kidnapped.

Spokesperson of the Cross State Police Command, SP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the kidnap incident.

Akpabuyo is less than 15 kilometres from Calabar, the capital city of Cross Rivers.

Meanwhile, a professor at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Patrick Egaga has regained his freedom been after 26 days in captivity.

Egaga who is Unical’s Director of Servicom, was kidnapped in UNICAL’s Staff quarters with a N50 million random placed on him.

NAN reports that Calabar and its environs have witnessed increase in cases of kidnap in the past few months.

The targets for abduction are usually lecturers, lawyers, medical doctors, clergymen and high profile individuals.