Bayelsa commissioner regains freedom, as Gov. Diri sacks traditional rulers implicated in abduction saga

Four days after police in Bayelsa launched a manhunt for the abductors of a serving commissioner in the state, the victim, Mr. Federal Otokito regained his freedom on Monday, January 24.

Otokito, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, was abducted by yet-to-be-ascertained gunmen on Thursday, January 20, however, the state police command on Friday, launched a manhunt for the arrest of gunmen who kidnapped him.

Unconfirmed reports claimed that the commissioner was kidnapped following his uncompromising stance against plans by youths in the area to set up illegal refinery camps at Agbura within the neighborhood of Otuokpoti.

A statement by the State Police Spokesman, Superintendent of Police, (SP) Asinim Batswat, Friday said gunmen suspected to be kidnappers abducted Hon Federal Otokito at his residence in Otuokpoti, a riverine community in Ogbia Local Government Area Bayelsa State on January 20, 2022. 

“Preliminary investigation reveals that, the kidnappers stormed the residence of Hon Federal Otokito on 20th January, 2022 at about 23:00hours and whisked him away in a waiting speedboat to an unknown destination. 

“The Command has launched manhunt for the rescue of the victim and the arrest of the suspects. Investigation is ongoing”, the statement added.

Bayelsa Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ben Nebolisa and the State Director of the State Security Services; Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, presented Otokito to Gov. Douye Diri, Monday evening, at Government House, Yenagoa.

The Bayelsa commissioner was released by his abductors on the fifth day after he was kidnapped from his Otuokpoti community residence in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state. 

The kidnappers had established telephone contact with the Paramount Ruler of Otuokpoti; demanding the release of the father of the kidnap gang leaders as a condition to free Otokito.

However, addressing Government House Correspondent after Otokito’s release; State Governor Diri announced the deposition of the Otuokpoti community paramount ruler, Chief A. C. T. Wongo, as he announced the appointment of Chief Rescue Abe in acting capacity.

Further, Diri announced the sacking of the Community Development Committee Chairman, Azibalua Amon, replacing him with Jerry Offor, in acting capacity. The youth president, Emolem Igue, was also removed and replaced with Shedrach Afiemo.According to Diri, preliminary investigation revealed that all of them were complicit in the kidnap of the commissioner. Diri reiterated the state government’s zero tolerance to crime and kidnapping.

Specifically, Diri said preliminary investigation revealed that illegal refining of crude was connected to the kidnap, as he warned all those involved in such businesses in the state to stop forthwith.

“I like to thank God that a member of the state exco who was kidnapped is now here with us.

“I like to also thank the security agencies and all other sources that helped in securing the release of the commissioner.

“Investigation is still ongoing. So we appeal to all in Otuokpoti to keep the peace and security agencies will keep an eagle eye on Otuokpoti and environs.

“Bayelsa will not condone crime and criminality. We have zero tolerance for crime. Let this be a warning to all those who have taken that as a way of life that Bayelsa is not a state for them.

“We have anti-kidnapping laws and they will be invoked at all times. As a government, we will do everything to ensure peace for people of the state,” Diri said.

Notably, Diri had earlier ruled out the payment of ransom to secure the release of the commissioner. On Commenting, state Commissioner of Police declared Joshua Abi, Clergy Mabinton, Gift Tebeda and Azin Azin wanted in connection with the kidnap.

Reacting, the freed commissioner, Otokito thanked Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and all those who worked for his release.