Heavily-armed gunmen on Sunday night abducted Chief Inengite Nitabai, who was said to be an uncle of President Goodluck Jonathan’s, in their home village of Otuoke, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Nitabai, 65, was said to have been involved in the recovery of a piece of land he sold several years ago, when he was snatched by the gunmen, who numbered about 10. They appeared to have been waiting as he returned from an outing, and they took him away in his vehicle.
A security source said that the vehicle was later recovered at the Onuegbum community waterfront where it had been abandoned, an indication the gunmen may have made away with their victim through the creeks. Although the motive of the kidnappers has not been ascertained, a community source told our correspondent that it may be connected with the alleged sale by some youths of the land that had belonged to him.
The incident has led to a heavy security presence in the community, which is also host to the Federal University, Otuoke.
The Deputy Commander of the Joint Task force, Operation Pulo Shield, Commodore Ime Ekpa, along with a team of security agents visited the crime scene on Monday.
Confirming the incident, the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, said one person had been arrested. He also confirmed the recovery of the abduction vehicle.
"Investigation is in progress to unmask the kidnappers and rescue the victim," he said.
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