An Akwa-Ibom-based medical doctor, Esin Nkereuwem was on Saturday, kidnapped by unknown assailants in Uyo.

Mr Nkereuwem, a former deputy governorship candidate in 2003, on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the state, also had his car stolen by the assailants. The car was however, recovered by the police yesterday. The kidnappers are believed to be demanding N5 million, as payment before their victim is released.

A daughter of the victim, who confirmed the kidnap, told NEXT that "he was kidnapped on Saturday. The kidnappers are asking for 5million naira. They allowed us speak to him on his telephone number, so we know he is alive and well."

Though the kidnappers are insisting on the payment of the ransom, NEXT learnt that the matter has been reported to the police and is at present being investigated by the Akwa-Ibom police command.

The kidnap of Mr Nkereuwem, who is a Russia-trained specialist in Obstetrics and Gyneacology, increases the speculation making the rounds that opposition politicians in the state are targets of kidnappers.

Last week, on October 6, the wife of an ANPP gubernatorial candidate, Sam Ewang, was kidnapped in front of her husband's school, Beulah International School, few weeks after he declared his intention to contest the gubernatorial election in the state.