Ninety-year-old mother-in-law of the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Kombowei Benson, was on Friday morning kidnapped in a heartless spectacle.
The victim identified simply as Obololo was whisked away by unknown gunmen operating along the waterways of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
She was abducted in her Korokorosei home at about 2am by the hoodlums who reportedly rode on a speedboat.
A source said the community was thrown into panic by the activities of the hoodlums.
The community source who pleaded anonymity said: “The gunmen came at about 2am. They shot sporadically before making their way to the woman’s home. We were all afraid because of the sounds of gunshots.
“They seized her and took her away to an unknown place. They showed no pity at the age of the woman.”
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilary Opara, confirmed the development and said the police had swung into action.
Opara, who vowed to make the state uncomfortable for criminals, said the police anti-kidnapping squad had been ordered to rescue the woman.
“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area alerted me early in the morning about the development. It is wicked and we will ensure we rescue the woman,” he said.
He charged leaders to let the life of the late Otedola be an example to them, adding that the question that should be uppermost in their minds must be “what will people say we have left behind for them to remember us. What would people say about us?”
“Pa Otedola has been a father to us all, we believe with his departure God will fulfill his promise to us all by providing us a comforter to fill the gap left behind by him,” President Jonathan added.
