Ex-Commissioner, Soldier Kidnapped in Bayelsa

Two individuals have, in separate incidents been abducted in Bayelsa state.

Suspected pirates, said to be operating along the Foropa-Gbarain axis of the southern Ijaw creek, abducted the soldier identified simply as Rotimi, as he was travelling to Yenagoa while the boat driver sustained a bullet wound on his shoulder.

The suspected pirates had ambushed the boat carrying the soldier and two other individuals. The assailants stole the boat engine, leaving behind a female passenger.

Meanwhile, a former Commissioner for Transport in Bayelsa State, Mrs. Marie Ebikake, has been kidnapped from her residence in Igbogene area of Yenagoa, while a serving military officer was also kidnapped.

An indigene of Brass Local Government Area and a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, Mrs. Ebikake was reportedly ambushed and taken away about 1.30am on Saturday.

Naija News gathered that on January 10, days before her abduction, some gunmen had supposedly infiltrated her country home in Twon-Brass in Brass Local Government Area, demolishing her property and leaving behind fetish substances.

The Caretaker Chairman of Brass, Mr. Victor Isaiah, reacting to the abduction described the incident as shocking and condemnable.

Isaiah said:  “I am shocked at the condemnable act of wickedness by evil and cold-hearted elements on a peacful and harmless woman. I am saddened, but hopeful that our mother and leader will not be subjected to a harmful experience in the hands of those uncultured criminals.

“I call on the kidnappers to release her unconditionally, unhurt and in sound health. I also urge security agents to be relevant and intensify efforts at rescuing the kidnapped woman.”

Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Bayelsa Police Command, Asinim Butswat, said: “She (Ebikake) was abducted  at her residence by unknown gunmen at about 1 am. A manhunt has been launched to apprehend the perpetrators”