Gunmen abduct 72-yr-old retired principal in Bayelsa

FRESH case of abduction has been recorded in Bayelsa, as unknown gunmen kidnapped a 72years retired principal, Chief Sunday Festus, at the early hours of Monday at his resident in Bomo clan in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
Mr Leighe Festus, son of the abducted septuagenarian told Tribune Online in Yenagoa that his father was not only diabetic but critically ill as at the time he was kidnapped and whisked to an
unknown destination.
According to him, the incident occurred at about 3:26am; four man gang of kidnappers arrived at the foinbiri waterside at about 3:10am and went straight to the victim’s resident, broke he protectors and forced him out of his room into a waiting double 75 horsepower speedboat.
Continuing, he noted that his father abduction followed a big band on his door and command that he should follow them, though attempt to resist them by Master Ikiotari Festus (his 13years old son) left him with injuries, as they hit him on the head with the butt of their guns.
Festus, averred that the heartless kidnappers dragged his father on the ground to the waterside, after shooting sporadically into the air to scare and scuttle and resistance from the
community.
He said further that having succeeded in abducting their victim, they head towards Opuama community and at Oyeregbene they attempted to steal an engine boat, and later engaged an oil and gas surveillance patrol gunboat while escaping with their victim in a bid to pave their way from the security patrol on the waterway.
Continuing, he posited that when they got to Oyeregbene and Sangana waterways in Brass Local Government area, they meander into a small creek and disappear into thin air, as nobody could ascertain their next location.
Festus, pointed that the motive behind the abduction of his diabetic father may not be unconnected to plot to extort money from his elder brother, Barrister Daumiebi Festus, who is a real estate mogul and stalwart of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
When asked if the abductors have established contact with the family, Festus, who was visibly shocked and pained by the kidnap, said no call has been put across to the family over the where about of their sick father.
The incident, it was learnt throw the family, neighbours and the Obodo’s compound into mourning, particularly because of the diabetic illness, as they fear he may die if exposed to harsh and ill treatment in the den of his abductors.
When contacted, the Bayelsa Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Asinim Butswat, said he was on leave, but noted that he would interface with the command and send feedback as at press time.