Residents in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State yesterday protested the abduction of the 92-year-old traditional ruler of Tombia community, Gbarian clan, Christian Otobotekere, by an armed gang.
Five gunmen at 8am shot their way through to the king’s palace and abducted him.
“It was like a scene from the movie. The community woke up to hear sounds of gun everywhere. There was panic. But at the end the gunmen took the king,” a source, who spoke in confidence, said.
The nonagenarian, it was gathered, is the father of Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, former Chief of Staff of Governor Seriake Dickson.
The victim is also a grand patron of the state chapter Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), which has appealed to the gunmen to set him free by virtue of his age.
It was gathered that the gunmen forced their victim into a Toyota car and drove him to the Amasoma/Tombia bridge.
They were said to have burnt the car and later whisked the monarch away to an unknown destination on a waiting speedboat.
A stray bullet was said to have hit a food vendor in the area during sporadic shooting by the gunmen.
Sources said the injured vendor was rushed to the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.
Aggrieved members of the community were said to have blocked the Amassoma road leading to the Niger Delta University (NDU) in protest.
They were said to have barricaded the road for hours and denied students and lecturers access to the university.
Their action created a serious gridlock which extended to the busy Mbiama-Yenagoa road.
They demanded the release of the aged monarch, describing the action of the abductors as barbaric.
Police spokesman Asinim Butswat confirmed the incident.
Butswat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said: “Five unknown gunmen, who were heavily armed, went to the residence of His Royal Highness, Chief C.A.O. Otobotekere, in Gbarain Clan of Tombia Community, abducted the chief and forced him into a car and drove to Amassoma/Tombia Bridge.
“They burnt the car beyond recognition, took the victim and whisked him away on a waiting speedboat to an unknown destination.
“A stray bullet from the abductors, injured a food vendor and he is receiving treatment at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.
“Marine Police,JTF, and the Anti-kidnapping unit have moved into the creeks for rescue and possible arrest of the suspects.”
Members of the Yenagoa Book Club (YBC) expressed dismay over the abduction of the monarch and called for his immediate release.
President of the association, Ebiowei Lawal and Secretary, Princewill Sede lamented increasing kidnappings.
They said: “To us the act of the kidnappers is not only barbaric and wicked; it is an insult to the literary community in Bayelsa state and the nation at large.”
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