Gunmen Kidnap Political Advicer To Governor of Bayelsa State, One Other

Barely twenty-four hours after the two Okpoama chiefs that were kidnapped last week in the mangrove swamp of Bayelsa East senatorial district regained their freedom, gunmen struck again Wednesday in the riverside town of Sagbama and abducted the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Bayelsa Governor, Chief executive of Wilson.

Also abducted was the personal assistant to the governor’s aide, Mr. Fred.

This is the second time in six years that Wilson, a close confidant and associate of former President Goodluck Jonathan, would be kidnapped by armed men in the state.

Wilson, a former commissioner under the Timpre Sylva administration was a noticeable figure at the formal declaration of Governor Seriake Dickson on Tuesday.

The kidnappers said to be four in number, reportedly stormed the residence of the governor’s aide, which is some distance away from the community waterfront at about 4am Wednesday.

According to a community source, Wilson and his personal assistant were seized at gunpoint by their assailants and dragged to a waiting speedboat by their captors who escaped through the Forcados River to an unknown destination.

Contacted, the state police public relations officer, Asinim Butswat confirmed the incident.

He said, “at about 0400hrs, today (Wednesday) five unknown gunmen went to the residence of Hon Wilson Fyneman at Sagbama Town, in Sagbama LGA, and abducted him with his Personal Assistant Mr Fred, to an unknown destination.

“The Marine Police, JTF and the Anti kidnapping unit have been alerted. Efforts have been intensified to rescue the victims and arrest the abductors. Investigation is ongoing.”

Kidnapped Okpoama chiefs regain freedom

Meanwhile, the kidnappers of Chief Blessing Wagio and Chief Isaac Akono-Igolo have set them free.

The victims, indigene of Okpoama in Brass local government area of Bayelsa State were kidnapped last Wednesday along the Ogbia-Brass waterways by suspected sea pirates.

Though it could not be ascertained if any ransom was paid, a family source told Vanguard that the chiefs were set free early Monday.

The gunmen it would recalled had demanded N50m ransom which they later reduced to N20m when it dawned on them that the families were not ready to negotiate with them.

The source added, “the chiefs were set free when the kidnappers realized they were their kinsmen.”

Source:

Vanguard Newspaper