Gunmen have kidnapped a Nigerian high court judge and killed her guard in southern Akwa Ibom state, police say.
Justice Joy Uwanna is said to have been abducted on her way back from a court sitting on Monday night, along Uyo-Okoboin in Oron town.
The gunmen reportedly opened fire and shot a policeman protecting the judge before whisking Justice Uwanna and her driver away.
A police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom state Odiko Macdon said the incident was “unfortunate”, adding that security forces were now investigating the matter.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility but abductions for ransom by criminal gangs are frequent in some parts of Nigeria.