Gunmen abduct 70-year-old Bayelsa monarch

Unidentified gunmen on Saturday invaded Okordia community in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, and abducted a clan head, Richard Seiba.
Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen stormed the palace of the traditional ruler at about 2am when the community was asleep.
Though nobody knew the motive behind the abduction, some people in the community said they were expecting the kidnappers to contact family members of their victim to demand ransom.
The abduction of the 70-year old monarch was said to have created panic in the area.
Ex-militant leaders and security operatives were said to have launched a manhunt for the kidnappers.
A member of the Community Development Committee in the area, Washington Odoyibo, said the gunmen came in through the window of the house.
Narrating the incident he said, “At about 2am, we heard that our clan head, King Richard Seiba, had been kidnapped by some gunmen. We went to his residence immediately where we saw his wife and childrenwho confirmed it.
“The wife and children were held atgunpoint by the kidnappers. But they raised the alarm after the gunmen had left with him. The gunmen broke his bedroom’s window. They pointed a gun at him threatening to kill him, if he refusedto open the door leading into his apartment.
“We don’t know if he is still alive or has been killed. We don’t know if they are hired killers or kidnappers. We are not suspecting anybody or group for now, but we had a rift with a neighbouring community in Biseni clan recently.”
When contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Kingsley Omire, confirmed the incident but said the police had been deployed in the area.
He said, “We are aware of the incident. Our men and a very senior officer are already there. The DPO, Biseni is already on ground. By next week, we are going to record a major breakthrough.
“Two people who kidnapped somebody some months ago have been arrested but, we are keeping their identities to our chest.”

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