GUNMEN ABDUCT FORMER BAYELSA COMMISSIONER

Gunmen , suspected to be kidnappers , have abducted a former Commissioner for Transport in Bayelsa State , Mrs . Marie Ebikake , and a military official in the state .
The abductions took place in two separate incidents .

While Ebikake, the first female Chairman of the Brass Local Government Area , was abducted on Sunday at her residence in Igbogene , Yenagoa, the soldier , identified simply as Rotimi , was abducted along the Foropa - Gbarain route of the Southern Ijaw creek.

The assailants reportedly seized Rotimi on his way to Yenagoa , shot the driver of the boat conveying him in the shoulder and stole the engine of the boat .
Ebikake , an indigene of the Brass LGA and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state , was reportedly abducted at about 1 . 30 am on Sunday .
Ebikake had resigned as Commissioner for Transport during the campaign for the re -election of Governor Seriake Dickson amidst a political dispute between Dickson and the wife of a former president , Patience Jonathan .

She was reported to have later returned to Dickson ’ s political camp .
Our correspondent gathered that Ebikake was a key member of the contact and reconciliation committee of the state chapter of the PDP set up by the governor .
It was learnt that three days before her abduction, some armed men had invaded her country house in Twon - Brass , in the Brass LGA , and vandalised the palatial residence .
It was further learnt that although she was not at home during the invasion , the armed men destroyed her bullet -proof doors and broke eggs on her vehicles and doors .
Speaking on Ebikake ’ s abduction, a family source said the gunmen were about 15 in number .

The source explained that the hoodlums scaled the fence and entered the house through a window in the apartment .
He wondered why they came for her , saying she did not have any issue with anyone . The source equally ruled out any political motive in the abduction.
He said , “ In that house where she was abducted , there were some children . Her husband was also around . It is a three -bedroomed flat . Her orderly , a policeman , was living in another flat in the house with some other boys . The driver was in another apartment and the security guard was at the gatehouse .

“ What they ( kidnappers ) did was to use big sticks to destroy the barbed wire carrying electricity current on the fence . When they saw that the barbed wire was slack, they scaled the fence , went in and broke the burglar- proof bar in one of the rooms where the children were sleeping .
“ From there , they went into her room and seized her . They also opened the fridge and took some drinks ; they ate groundnuts and biscuits . Thereafter , the kidnappers collected all their phones and left with her through the same window .

“ As they were going with her to the gate , they asked her for the gate keys . She called the security guard , one David. As David did not answer , one of them opened fire on the gatehouse . The door was ridden with bullets . About that time , the gateman had already hid in the attic.
“ Afterwards , they used something to open the pedestrian side of the gate and escaped . They left about 40 minutes before some policemen arrived .

“ From what the gateman said , about five persons entered into the compound . Three went into the house , two were just walking around in the compound , and five persons kept guard around the gate . About 15 persons carried out the abduction. ”
The Caretaker Chairman , Brass LGA , Victor Isaiah , described the abduction as shocking and condemnable.
Isaiah said , “ I am shocked at this act of wickedness by evil and cold - hearted elements on a peaceful and harmless woman . I am saddened that our mother and leader will be subjected to an harmful experience in the hands of those uncultured criminals .
“ I call on the abductors to release her unconditionally , unhurt and in sound health . I also urge security agents to intensify efforts at rescuing her . ”
When contacted , the Police Public Relations Officer , Bayelsa State Command , Mr . Asinim Butswat , confirmed the abduction of Ebikake .
Butswat , a Deputy Superintendent of Police , said , “ She was abducted at her residence by gunmen at about 1 am today ( Sunday ) . Manhunt has been launched to apprehend the perpetrators . ”
Efforts to speak with the Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre , Operation Delta Safe , Major Ibrahim Abdullahi , on the abduction of the soldier , were not successful as of press time .






Source:punchng