The pregnant wife and four children of a traditional ruler in Akwa Ibom, have been abducted by gunmen.

The gunmen were said to have invaded the palace of Ubong Assam, the paramount ruler of Esit Eket in the wee hours of Monday, May 2.

Asuquo Abia, the secretary, Traditional Rulers Council, Esit Eket, made the disclosure to journalists.

Leadership reports that an eyewitness said the gunmen shot sporadically for over five hours – between 1.30 am to 6 am.

The gunmen, who reportedly claimed to be policemen from Abuja, destroyed parts of the palace with dynamites.

The abductors also broke into all the rooms in the palace and made away with valuables in the jeep of the monarch.

Azubuike Azikwe