The Nigerian security outfits operating in Bayelsa State have murdered sleep following Sunday’s abduction of the 70-year-old Inengite Nitabai, the cousin of President Goodluck Jonathan. In a daring move, 10 heavily armed men stormed the expansive compound of Nitabai at Otuoke, hometown of President Jonathan in Ogbia Local Government Area and whisked the old man away.
But 48 hours after the incident, security agencies had been ordered to find Nitabai who is said to be the adopted father of the President.
It was gathered that gunboats of the JTF and the police had been deployed to the creeks of Ogbia and Nembe. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilary Opara, said the security agencies were making frantic efforts to find the victim.
Opara was said to have been personally patrolling Otuoke since the incident occurred. He was sighted driven in and out of Otuoke in an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).
He said gunboats had been stationed at the Onuebum waterside to patrol all nooks and crannies of the creeks.
He said the police personnel were also searching for some suspects who ran away immediately they sighted the police.
It was learnt that the police had so far patrolled Edebiri, Kiambiri, Anyama and Ogobiri creeks.
But Frank, one of the children of Nitabai, said his father was kidnapped a day before a meeting over land dispute.
He said the police had scheduled a meeting with Nitabai and other family members over land dispute on Monday, a day after he was abducted.
He expressed fears that his father’s kidnapping might be connected with the land dispute.
He appealed to security operatives to also look in that direction.
Frank said, “My father heard that some members of his family sold his land at Ogbia.
“He reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police. The commissioner was supposed to meet with my father and other family members involved in the land dispute on Monday. Unfortunately, my father was abducted a day before the meeting.
“I am appealing to the relevant authorities to also look at that aspect.”
Opara revealed on Monday that two suspects had been arrested so far in connection with the land dispute.
“The other two suspects saw my men and ran away. We will get them,” he said.
He, however, said the kidnappers had yet to establish contact with the victim’s family.
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