Gunmen kidnap former commissioner in Bayelsa
Mrs. Marie Ebikake, former Commissioner for Transport in Bayelsa State was in the wee hours of Sunday kidnapped at her Igbogene residence at the outskirt of Yenagoa, the state capital.
Ebikake, a vocal woman politician was Gov. Dickson’s Commissioner for Transport and later redeployed to the Ministry of Local Government Administration and finally dropped.
The Spokesman of Bayelsa police command, Asinim Butswat, DSP, who confirmed the development in a text message, said the incident happened at 1:00 am on Sunday.
Butswat said the command had launched manhunt to apprehend the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, Tina Inegbagha wife of the Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa Mr. Egbele Jack, a school principal have regained their freedom, 25 days after their abduction.
Chief Majesty Inegbagha, a member of the monarch’s family who confirmed the development on Saturday said the duos were set free on Thursday.
He recalled that they were abducted by gunmen at Ayakoro on December 16,2017 and taken to unknown destination, a development which put the community into panic and mourning.
He said that an undisclosed amount of ransom was paid to secure their release, adding that the kidnappers had earlier demanded N100 Million and reduced to N30 and N5 Million as the families of the victims kept negotiating for downward review of the sum.
Inegbagha, younger brother to the monarch said the release of the wife of the Paramount Ruler and the Principal has thrown Ayakoro into jubilation when the news got to the community.
Commenting on his wife’s release, the elated Paramount Ruler, HRH Righteous Inegbagha expressed deep appreciation to God and the people who contributed in prayers, cash and kind to facilitate the freedom of the two victims.
He also appealed to the kidnappers and those who linked them to the community to repent from their nefarious act to sustain the existing peaceful and law-abiding legacies left behind by the founding fathers of the community.
Narrating their experience both the wife of the Paramount Ruler Mrs. Tina Inegbagha and Mr. Egbele Jack expressed happiness and thanked God for their release.
According to them the kidnappers gave them nice treatment particularly the wife of the Paramount Ruler who was accorded the status of the wife of a king and given royal attention in captivity.
Chris Eze, Yenagoa
