Gunmen have abducted 78-year-old Patimi Akene, the mother of
the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr. Furoebi Akene.
The abduction of Patimi came 18 days after Ogboro Orumo,
90-year-old mother-in-law of Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Tombowei
Benson, was kidnapped.
Orumo’s whereabouts had remained unknown since May 30 when
her abductors whisked her away from her residence in Krokorosei in the same
Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Sources said Patimi was kidnapped on Saturday by six gunmen
at Ofoinbiri community.
It was learnt that the commissioner’s mother and one of her
granddaughters were returning home from a church vigil in the community at
about 1am on Saturday when the hoodlums swooped on her.
They were said to have sped away with the victim into the
creeks in a speed boat they operated.
The commissioner, who confirmed his mother’s abduction, said
the gunmen took her away without firing a gunshot.
Akene said his mother’s assailants covered her mouth with a
handkerchief when she screamed for help, threatening to kill her and the
granddaughter if they did not keep quiet.
The commissioner said, “My mother was in company with one of
her granddaughters when the armed men arrived at about 12 am and took her away.
“Preliminary investigation showed that the gunmen know her
and have been studying her.”
He said the gunmen established contact with him on Sunday
evening and demanded his resignation from the cabinet of Governor Seriake
Dickson as ransom.
Akene added, “Someone that I suspected to be one of the
kidnappers called me and said they don’t need my money. But that I should
‘withdraw’ from the present administration as commissioner. I think what they are
demanding is for me to resign my appointment.
“My brother, I think the people interested in my job as
commissioner in the state are the ones behind the abduction of my mother.”
When contacted, Commissioner of Police, Hilary Opara,
confirmed the incident.
Opara said the police had swung into action with a view to
rescuing Patimi and arresting the culprits.
“We will continue to depend on information. We are
soliciting more information. I thank the people of Bayelsa for being aware and
partnering with the police,” he said
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