……….Denies payment of N15m ransom to kidnappers of Jonathan’s cousins
Christopher Uche, Yenagoa
A team of Police detectives have arrested a 30 years old Army deserter, Nanabo Perezito and two others over alleged illegal possession of military uniforms and involvement in various armed robbery attacks in the State.
This is as the police authorities in the state have denied payment of N15 million ransom to the kidnappers of former President Jonathan’s cousins who were kidnapped on the 15th of May, 2015.
The Police authorities also confirmed the arrest of Two other members of the suspected armed robbery gang identified as ThankGod Victor,22 years and Hanson Victor,20 years.
The Spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Butswat Asimni,said the suspects were arrested at Opolo community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the State after intelligence gathering on series of armed robbery attacks within and outside the State.
According to Asmin,the suspects were arrested on the 6th of June in a special operation carried out by special detectives attached to the Ekeki division of the Police,”they were arrested and items recovered include 7 pairs of Military Uniforms,One AK 49 rifle,39 rounds of live Ammunitions,One locally made pistol,Two drivers’ licences and a locally cut to size pistol.”
He further stated that the suspects, during interrogation,the confessed to various armed robbery attacks in Bayelsa and Rivers States.
Meanwhile, Authorities of the Bayelsa State Police Command have denied the claim that a N15million ransom was paid before it secured the release of the two abducted Cousins of the Former President,Dr.Goodluck Jonathan from the kidnappers’ den in the State.
The abducted Cousins of Goodluck Jonathan,Kate Ene and Patience Ebani,were kidnapped on the 15th of May alongside their friend,Edith Ekeni along the Akemplai community in Ogbia Local Government Area of the State.
While community sources claimed that the family of the Former President, Dr.Goodluck Jonathan paid the sum of N15million to the kidnappers to secure their release.
The spokesman of the State Police Command, Astimin Butswat, denied knowledge of such ransom payment and negotiations,”we are not aware of such payment.”
Astimin however said the abducted cousins to the Former President and their friend,were released at about 11.30pm on the 5th of June at Abua waterfront in Abua local Government area of Rivers State.
The Police has also announced the release of a 54 years old woman, Madam Ebiye Simpson, abducted on the 24th of May along the Agrisaba community of Ogbia Local Government Area of the State.
According to the Police, three persons including one Ayiba Mike,were arrested in connection with the abduction of the 54 years old woman.
