Kidnappers of Bayelsa monarch demand N50m ransom

Kidnappers of King Richard Seiba, the Ibedaowei (clan head) of Okordia Kingdom, YenagoaLocal Government Area of Bayelsa State, have demanded N50 million ransom to effect his release.
The 70-year-old monarch, a second class ruler, was seized at gunpoint in the early hours of Saturday by four unknown gunmen at his palace.
The whereabouts of the monarch had remained unknown since his abduction.
It was, however, gathered that the hoodlums established contact with the family on Sunday night.
Attempts to speak with the monarch’s wife, Mrs. Evelyn Seiba, who witnessed the abduction of herhusband, proved abortive but a family source who did not want his name in print told Vanguard: “The kidnappers have called and they aredemanding N50 million.”
Though the state government and security agencies had waded into the matter, the source added that “our community folks are also not relenting as they have organized a search party and are combing the adjoining forest with a view to tracking down the kidnappers.”
The state governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, had on Sunday, dispatched a high powered delegation to the troubled Ikarama-Okordia clan to sympathize with the people and assure them of government’s assistance in ensuring the quick release of their monarch.
Contacted on the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Fidelis Odunwa (DSP), said the state government, in collaboration with security agencies, has set up a high-powered team to ensure the quick resolution of the matter.
The police image maker said he also heard of the kidnappers’ demand for ransom but could not confirm the authenticity of the claim.

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