Chiefs Kidnappers Demands N50 Million

The victims, both indigenes of Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and a security operative, whose identity could not be ascertained, were kidnapped last Wednesday along Ogbia-Brass waterways by armed men suspected to be pirates.

The kidnappers of Chief Blessing Wagio and Chief Isaac Akono-Igolo have reportedly demanded N50 million for their release a week after their abduction.

Though the whereabouts of the kidnapped victims are unknown, the kidnappers were said to have contacted the family of one of the chiefs, Monday, demanding N50 million ransom before they would be set free.

The victims’ boat, which sailed from Ogbia water front in Ogbia council, was heading to Brass on the Atlantic fringe when it came under attack around Kiberibio area in the waterway, described as a hotbed of pirates attacks.

A source told Vanguard: “The kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N50 million. They called the wife of Chief Wagio on Monday at about 10p.m. and made the two chiefs to speak with her.”

Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, said he was in a meeting.