The abduction of Iniokpoemi Benson, younger brother of the Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr Kombowei Benson, in the early hours of yesterday by armed men has heightened fear among top politicians in the state.
No fewer than seven relations of top politicians in the state have been kidnapped in the last one month by persons suspected to be professional abductors.
No fewer than seven relations of top politicians in the state have been kidnapped in the last one month by persons suspected to be professional abductors.
Iniokpoemi Benson’s abduction, the latest in the series of kidnapping targeted at families of top politicians and public office holders in the predominantly riverine state, occurred at about 3 am at Korokorosei along the Ikebiri creek in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
Described as an easy going person by members of his community, the victim was the immediate past chairman of the Community Development Committee, CDC, of Korokorosei community.
He was reportedly seized from his residence, opposite the community waterfront by the armed men, who came in a speedboat.
A community source told Chat212: “We were woken up by the sound of gunfire at about 3 am but nobody could venture out for fear of being hit by stray bullets. We were all terrified by the sound of gunshots.
“The victim’s house is in a secluded and sparsely populated area opposite the community waterfront, separated by the Ikebiri creek. This, to a large extent, might have emboldened the kidnappers to go for him.”
He became the third member of the family and indigene of the community to be kidnapped in recent times.
The first victim was the Speaker’s mother, Mrs Betina Okunwa Benson aged 79, who was kidnapped last January followed by Madam Ogboro Orumo, mother-in-law of the Speaker.
Though the Speaker could not be reached for comment but a family member who pleaded anonymity said: “He was kidnaped this morning and we are yet to establish contact with his kidnappers.”
The upsurge in kidnapping was the subject of discussion among staff of the assembly when Chat212 visited the complex.
Media aide to the Speaker, Mr. Priye Kiyaramo, confirmed the incident but declined further comment.
Contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Hilary Okpara, said he was attending an emergency security meeting over the development.
But a senior police source confirmed the incident, adding that the police special anti-kidnap squad had swung into action.
Meantime, it was reliably learnt that the upsurge in kidnapping is now causing fear among politicians in the state with many of them relocating their loved ones to their official quarters and other parts of the state capital.
“The situation in Southern Ijaw is worrisome, it is really difficult to effectively police the waterways because of its intricate network of canals.
Some of our politicians have started relocating their families from here because of the activities of ransom seeking gunmen,” an indigene of the area told Chat212.
He called on the state government to deploy its newly constituted security outfit known as Bayelsa Volunteers to the creeks to complement the effort of the conventional security forces in tackling crimes in the hinterland of the state.
No fewer than seven relations of top politicians in the state have been kidnapped in the last one month by persons suspected to be professional abductors.
Iniokpoemi Benson’s abduction, the latest in the series of kidnapping targeted at families of top politicians and public office holders in the predominantly riverine state, occurred at about 3 am at Korokorosei along the Ikebiri creek in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
Described as an easy going person by members of his community, the victim was the immediate past chairman of the Community Development Committee, CDC, of Korokorosei community.
He was reportedly seized from his residence, opposite the community waterfront by the armed men, who came in a speedboat.
A community source told Chat212: “We were woken up by the sound of gunfire at about 3 am but nobody could venture out for fear of being hit by stray bullets. We were all terrified by the sound of gunshots.
“The victim’s house is in a secluded and sparsely populated area opposite the community waterfront, separated by the Ikebiri creek. This, to a large extent, might have emboldened the kidnappers to go for him.”
He became the third member of the family and indigene of the community to be kidnapped in recent times.
The first victim was the Speaker’s mother, Mrs Betina Okunwa Benson aged 79, who was kidnapped last January followed by Madam Ogboro Orumo, mother-in-law of the Speaker.
Though the Speaker could not be reached for comment but a family member who pleaded anonymity said: “He was kidnaped this morning and we are yet to establish contact with his kidnappers.”
The upsurge in kidnapping was the subject of discussion among staff of the assembly when Chat212 visited the complex.
Media aide to the Speaker, Mr. Priye Kiyaramo, confirmed the incident but declined further comment.
Contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Hilary Okpara, said he was attending an emergency security meeting over the development.
But a senior police source confirmed the incident, adding that the police special anti-kidnap squad had swung into action.
Meantime, it was reliably learnt that the upsurge in kidnapping is now causing fear among politicians in the state with many of them relocating their loved ones to their official quarters and other parts of the state capital.
“The situation in Southern Ijaw is worrisome, it is really difficult to effectively police the waterways because of its intricate network of canals.
Some of our politicians have started relocating their families from here because of the activities of ransom seeking gunmen,” an indigene of the area told Chat212.
He called on the state government to deploy its newly constituted security outfit known as Bayelsa Volunteers to the creeks to complement the effort of the conventional security forces in tackling crimes in the hinterland of the state.
