The Police in Bayelsa State on Friday confirmed the suspected abduction of 85-year-old paramount ruler of Gbarantoru community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, Benjamin Weke, by gunmen.
The spokesman of police command, Asinim Butswatt, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Yenagoa that the kidnap took place in the early hours of Friday.
Butswatt said the command did not receive information on the incident promptly but disclosed that investigation into the matter had commenced.
He said: “Yes, the marine component of the police has been alerted and they are combing the creeks to find the whereabouts of the gunmen.
“The incident occurred in early hours of Friday.
“The problem is that the family members did not contact our men until 5am.”
A family member, Blessing Weke, told NAN that the gunmen had on July 1sent a letter to the 85-year-old monarch, intimating him of their coming.
Weke said four “heavily armed” gunmen arrived at the home of the monarch at about 1am.
Blessing said: “Chief’s wife was the first person to wake up before chief could wake up.
“As soon as they saw him, they grabbed him and ran away.
“They also took some money meant for the traditional marriage of the one of the traditional ruler’s sons scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday).
“Finally, the wife was beaten up and was ordered to lead their way to the waterside, where they escaped in a speedboat.”
NAN.