Uyo — Immediate past Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Chief Nelson Effiong, has been kidnapped by militants.

THISDAY gathered that the former lawmaker who hails from Oron Local Government area of the state, was abducted by militants along Obio Imo Street, in Uyo, the state capital.

By the time of filing this report yesterday, no group had accepted responsibility and no ransom had been demanded for his release.

It would be recalled that Effiong, who now runs Tabasco, a transport company, with headquarters in Uyo, contested the last Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary for Eket Senatorial District, but lost to Lady Eme Ufot Ekaette, wife of Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry.

Reacting to the kidnap, incumbent Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Ignatius Edet, expressed concern over the incident, saying the Assembly is working towards passing anti-kidnapping law to check the spate of kidnapping in the state.

Edet, who confirmed the incident, called on the media to assist security operatives by investigating and exposing those behind the militancy and kidnap saga now rocking the Niger Delta region.

"For us in the State House of Assembly, we are going to ensure that we pass the anti-kidnapping law to checkmate some of these people and serve as deterrent to others. Severe penalty will be provided in the law," he declared.