Christopher Uche, Yenagoa
An 85 years old paramount ruler from Gbarantoru community in Yenagoa local government Area of Bayelsa state, His Royal Highness, Chief Benjamin Weke has been kidnapped.
The octogenarian was kidnapped at the eve of his son’s wedding even as 34 days notice letter has been served on him by the kidnappers.
The incessant kidnapping activities in the state has called for a serious concern as this is coming barely one week after two Chiefs and a middle aged man were kidnapped in Brass area of the state.
Though, it was not clear what led to the kidnap of the elderly man, many people on the state have attributed the increasing wave of kidnapping and other crimes to the poverty level in the state which climaxed during the tenure of the current Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson in the state.
The 85 years old traditional ruler was abducted at his residence in the state capital in the early hours of Friday, even as 34days notice letter was served on him.
According to close Family member,the abduction of the Bayelsa Monarch came Thirty-Four days after a notice of his planned kidnapping was made known in a warning letter sent by his abductors.
A family member, Mrs. Blessing, confirmed that the gunmen had on July 1st this year sent a letter to the monarch, intimating him of their coming.
According to her, “The gunmen were about four in number and heavily armed. They came around 1.00am, and forcefully gained entrance and the wife was the first to wake up and also woke up his Highness.
“They immediately seized him and took some money meant for the traditional marriage of one of his sons scheduled to hold on Saturday. They also beat up the wife who escorted them through the footpath behind his residence to the waterside where they escaped with a speedboat to an unknown location.”
Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police
Command, Asinim Butswatt, DSP, said the family could not make contact with the police until 5am,
“The marine component of the police have been alerted and they are combing the creeks to find their whereabouts.”
It would be recalled that only a fortnight ago,two Chiefs from Okpoama community in Brass Local Government Area, Chief Blessing Wagio and Chief Isaac Akono-Igolo were kidnapped and a N50m ransom demanded for their release.
Meanwhile, a traditional Chief from Gbarain in Yenagoa local government Area of the state who eas also kidnapped over a month ago is still in the hands of the kidnappers.
