Top security sources in Calabar, Cross River State, have confided in www.calitown.com that they fear that ace Cross River born broadcaster, Petertex Etim, may have died under circumstances still being investigated by security personnel in the state.
Etim was abducted by yet to be known persons on January 11, 2019, close to his house, as he was leaving for work. We further gathered that, his abductors drove him in his car, first to a village (name withheld) in Odukpani, before taking him to an undisclosed location. “When they got to the location, because of the strain walking for long will put on his legs, he asked his abductors for a walking stick but they preferred to carry him on their backs into captivity. At the point when they got to his wife, she begged them not to harm him and went further to make an additional appeal that they should please let him have a bottle of Star beer, a request they granted. One of the abductors later called to tell his wife that Peter has had four bottles of Star beer for in the last one hour and that she should send money for his beer o, she did”, a family source who has elected to remain anonymous told us. His car was later discovered somewhere in Biase LGA
An informed security source in Calabar also hinted www.calitown.com that while Peter was abducted on January 11, 2019, the phone number that was used in contacting his wife, was registered on January 12, 2019 and was switched off between December 17 and 18, 2018; it is the last time his abductors called. He declined to give further information, even denying knowledge of any ransom payment. But family sources again confirmed to www.calitown.com that ransom was paid. “His son Richie, was given money twice to deliver to two locations; one in Okurikang, Odukpani LGA the other one in Anantigha, Calabar South LGA. I cannot for certain say how much was paid, but I know for certain that money was paid”, we were told.
Richard, the victim’s son, we can confirm, was yesterday, Tuesday, March 20, 2019, taken in by the Police in Calabar for questioning. While our Police sources have not pointed to why he was taken in, competent ground sources say “there are a few things in his mobile phone concerning this case that he has to explain to the Police. I cannot reveal what these things are but we will all know in due course”. Irene Ugbo, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and CRS Police Public Relations Officer, also confirmed to www.calitown.com that Richard was with them for questioning and volunteered no other information.
But an investigation carried out by our reporters over a two week period pointed to the fact that Richard appeared to have flouted security instructions in his dealings with his father’s abductors. “When he was making the second money drop, he was clearly advised not to hand in the money if he doesn’t hear his father’s voice over the phone. He went there and dropped the money without following that instruction. We even suspect that at that point, his father may have been long gone”, another family source informed us.
A few other arrests have been made as security personnel spread a drag net they hope will apprehend all those behind the disappearance of Petertex Etim. “Whatever it is right now, let them hand us our friend Peter, in whatever state, it will help push away the agony of his unfortunate disappearance”, Chris Inyang, a close friend of Peter, lamented to us.
Peter was on his way to work at the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation, CRBC, Calabar, where he was a renowned broadcaster, when he was abducted.