Kidnappers demand N10.4m ransom - To release dep gov’s father

Soji Ajibola, Yenagoa - 13.12.2007

SUSPECTED kidnappers of the father of the Bayelsa State deputy governor, Chief Simon Ebebi, are said to be demanding for N10.4 million ransom including N400,000.00 as logistics.

Also, five of the suspected kidnappers were said to have been arrested by security agents in the state. Disclosing this to newsmen, the state Commander of the Joint Military Taskforce, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Musa, said that three out of the arrested suspected kidnappers were assisting the State Security Service (SSS) with useful information while the remaining two were with the state police command.

He said that one of the arrested suspects, who claimed not to be part of the operation, said that his boat was only hired by the perpetrators, saying that “I only gave my boat out to them not knowing that it would be used for an evil act.”

Lt. Col. Musa stated that the investigation was still ongoing in the matter, adding that security operatives in the state would soon get to the root of the matter.

He also said that they would secure the immediate release of the aged father of the deputy governor. The commander said that people were hiding under the guise of militants to perpetrate evil in the region, saying this was discovered when the mother of a member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Seriake Dickson, was held hostage by suspected militants.

He stated that even when the JTF had secured the release of the aged woman, people were still phoning her son demanding for ransom, adding that it was as bad as that.

On the security situation in the state, the commander noted that there was an improvement compared with the situation in the past, adding that the army was in the state to ensure peace and tranquility.

According to him, “we are not here to fight war but to ensure peace. The issue of Niger Delta has been on for long. Whatever grievances people are having against one another should be resolved amicably.”